President Donald Trump on Saturday (Dec. 6) presented the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees with their medals during an exclusive ceremony held in the Oval Office. Hailing the chosen artists, President Trump declared them “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class” ever assembled, emphasizing his deep involvement in their selection.

This year’s distinguished recipients include actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the iconic rock band KISS, and actor-singer Michael Crawford. Trump praised the group as “incredible people” who embody “the very best in American arts and culture,” noting his personal familiarity and admiration for their work. He lauded them as “icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted and unified millions and millions of Americans.”

The current administration has ushered in significant changes to the Kennedy Center, a stark contrast to Trump's first term when he largely ignored the institution and its awards program. Since returning to office in January, the Republican president has ousted the previous board of trustees, replacing them with GOP supporters who subsequently voted him in as chairman of the board. Trump has also publicly criticized the center’s programming and physical appearance, vowing a comprehensive overhaul. He announced in August that he was “about 98% involved” in selecting the 2025 honorees, a departure from the traditional bipartisan selection committee and press release announcements.

The medal presentation featured a newly designed medallion, created and donated by jeweler Tiffany & Co. This gold disc, etched with the Kennedy Center’s image and rainbow colors on one side, and the honoree’s name and the ceremony date on the reverse, hangs from a navy blue ribbon. This new design replaces the previous large rainbow ribbon worn over the shoulders and chest. During the ceremony, George Strait, donning his signature cowboy hat, was the first to receive his medal, briefly removing his hat despite Trump’s lighthearted suggestion to keep it on.

President Trump was effusive in his praise for each honoree. He celebrated Michael Crawford as a “great star of Broadway” for his seminal role in *Phantom of the Opera*, and Gloria Gaynor as the undisputed “disco queen,” stating “nobody did it like Gloria Gaynor.” His admiration for Sylvester Stallone, whom he called a friend, was evident as he described him as a “wonderful,” “spectacular” person and “one of the true, great movie stars” and “legends.” KISS was lauded as an “incredible rock band.” As members of the White House press corps awaited the ceremony, songs by Gaynor and KISS played in the Rose Garden, just outside the Oval Office.

Looking ahead, the glitzy Kennedy Center Honors program, featuring tribute speeches and performances, is scheduled to be taped on Sunday at the performing arts center for broadcast later in December on CBS and Paramount+. In a significant break from tradition, President Trump is set to attend the program for the first time as president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. He previously stated his intention to host the show and confirmed on Saturday his expectation that the broadcast would achieve its highest ratings ever as a result of his participation, predicting, “this will be the highest-rated show that they’ve ever done.” The medallion ceremony itself was also moved from the annual State Department dinner to the White House.