Trump Involved in Kennedy Center Honorees Selection

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump discussed his significant involvement in selecting recipients for the Kennedy Center honors with Daily Caller reporter Ashley Brasfield.

During the conversation, Trump announced that country artist George Strait, actors Michael Crawford and Sylvester Stallone, rock band Kiss, and disco singer Gloria Gaynor would receive the prestigious award for their contributions to American performing arts. He mentioned that he had turned down numerous nominees, claiming he was “awakening.”

Brasfield asked, “How were you involved in the selection process of these awardees?” Trump responded, “I think I was involved with about 98%. They all went through me… I refused a lot. They woke up. I had some Wokesters. No, we have some great people. This is very different.”

In related news, Trump was appointed to the Kennedy Center Board on February 12, replacing the 18 members who had been appointed by former President Joe Biden, including the former chairman David Rubenstein. Richard Grenell took over from Deborah F. Lutter, who was in her role from September 2014 until February 2025.

Biden’s appointees included former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and senior adviser Mike Donilon. This marks a significant shift at the Kennedy Center since Trump’s administration took over.

In 2024, the Kennedy Center hosted a show titled “Drug Tastic Dress Up.” In February, Trump remarked to Air Force reporters that there was no need to “wake up” at the Kennedy Center, suggesting some shows had been disappointing and dishonorable. “You don’t have to wake up at the Kennedy Center,” he stated. “Some of the shows were terrible. They were even dishonorable that they were placed. So I’ll be there until it gets run right.”