Trump Names Kennedy Center Honorees, Says He’ll Host Show Himself

President Donald Trump has unveiled his picks for this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, putting his personal stamp on one of the US’s most celebrated arts awards.

Speaking Wednesday from the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, Trump promised a glitzier, bigger production than ever before.

“We’ll make it better than it ever was, frankly,” he said. “It’ll be something that people are going to be very proud of.”

This year’s honorees include disco legend Gloria Gaynor, country star George Strait, rock icons Kiss, British comedian Michael Crawford, and action movie actor Sylvester Stallone — best known for his roles in Rocky and Rambo.

In a twist, Trump also announced he’ll personally host the show.

“I’ve been asked to host. I said, ‘I’m the president of the United States. Are you fools asking me to do that?’ So I have agreed to host. Do you believe what I have to do?” he joked.

The move marks a sharp break from his first term, when he skipped the Kennedy Center Honors altogether — defying a tradition that has seen nearly every president attend since the awards launched in 1978.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has gone beyond simply showing up. In February, he purged the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees, then installed himself as chair.

“We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!” he declared at the time. Days later, the board elected him.

Now, Trump is expanding his influence across cultural institutions. This week, his administration revealed a review of Smithsonian museums to make sure they “align” with his push to celebrate American exceptionalism.

On social media, Trump even teased renaming the Kennedy Center after himself, trolling critics who accused him of politicizing the arts.

“GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS,” he posted.

For Trump, the revamped ceremony is about more than just celebrating artists. It’s also about projecting what he calls “the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.”