Trump Names Kennedy Center Honors Recipients, Including Stallone and KISS

WASHINGTON — Five distinguished artists will receive the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors this year, as announced by President Trump on Wednesday. Among the honorees are actor Sylvester Stallone, the iconic rock band KISS, and disco legend Gloria Gaynor.

Joining them are British actor Michael Crawford, renowned for his role in “The Phantom of the Opera,” and country music icon George Strait. A ceremony to celebrate these artists is set for later this year.

Trump expressed his admiration for each honoree, recalling his experiences with their work. He reminisced about watching Crawford perform on Broadway and praised Stallone’s performances in the “Rambo” and “Rocky” franchises.

“Stallone is very honored to be honored,” Trump remarked, reflecting on his first encounter with “Rambo.” He described the moment vividly: “I was a young guy, and I went to see a thing called ‘Rambo,’ and it just came out. I didn’t know anything about it, but I was in a movie theater... and I said, ‘This movie is phenomenal.’”

Trump elaborated on Stallone’s rise to fame, noting how he ultimately took on the lead role in “Rocky” after struggling to find a suitable actor. “He did it as a writer, but he ended up playing it because he couldn’t find anybody else that fit the role,” Trump explained.

Gaynor’s 1978 anthem “I Will Survive” received special mention from Trump, who called it “one of those few that get better every time.” He also hinted at a surprise performance from KISS during the ceremony.

Crawford, celebrated in the UK for his comedic talent, was lauded by Trump for his groundbreaking portrayal of the Phantom. “He made his Broadway debut in 1967. I was there... he became an international sensation in the 1980s for his original portrayal of ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ one of the greatest ever,” Trump stated.

As chairman of the Kennedy Center, Trump confirmed that he personally selected each honoree, stating, “I turned down plenty. They were too woke.” He criticized the current state of award shows, claiming that audiences have dwindled due to political commentary overshadowing entertainment.

Reflecting on his own entertainment career, Trump mentioned his time on “The Apprentice” and his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He humorously suggested that he might honor himself in the future: “Maybe I’m going to honor — next year we’ll honor Trump, OK?”

The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony is scheduled to air in December.