Trump Kennedy Center Responds to Ratings Controversy
The Trump Kennedy Center is pushing back against media claims that its annual Honors Awards show experienced lower ratings compared to previous years under President Donald Trump. The Center insists that, despite broader challenges in the industry and a unique scheduling context, the broadcast performed strongly.
Roman Dalavi, the vice president of communications at the Trump Kennedy Center, described the comparison of this year’s ratings to last year’s as an “apples-to-oranges” situation, suggesting it reflects left-leaning bias. He stated that the event did well in key demographics and across various platforms, even with a Tuesday air date a couple of days before Christmas.
Held on December 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the 48th Kennedy Center Honors recognized artists like George Strait, members of the band Kiss, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, and Sylvester Stallone. This annual ceremony celebrates those whose artistic contributions have significantly influenced the world.
President Trump hosted the event, which aired on CBS and Paramount+ on December 23, 2025.
Notably, a report from Nielsen cited by Variety showed the event averaged 3.01 million viewers, marking a 25% decline from 2024’s 4.1 million viewers. Media headlines suggested a “ratings slump,” with late-night personalities like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert poking fun at Trump, claiming it was the “lowest-rated Kennedy Center Honors telecast in history.”
In defense, Dalavi pointed out that the awards show had strong viewership among adults aged 25-54 and reported a record 1.5 billion impressions on social media in just one night, a significant increase from the previous year’s 50 million. He suggested it was a successful celebration of the honorees at the Trump Kennedy Center.
Previously, Trump had anticipated high ratings, even predicting he would outdraw critics like Kimmel, although he acknowledged potential backlash from those who might claim it was poorly executed.
During the ceremony, he expressed pride in revitalizing the venue, highlighting that it raised a remarkable $23 million—almost double the amount raised in 2024 under the Biden administration. Interestingly, the 2024 broadcast had benefited from favorable NFL viewership preceding the event.
The Honorees included actors and musicians, and the ceremony came shortly after the announcement that the center’s board decided to rename it to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Performing Arts Center. This change has stirred criticism from Democrats, who argue it’s illegal without congressional approval and raise concerns over the board’s composition, which heavily reflects the president’s vision for the arts.
Overall, the Trump Kennedy Center defended its position amid varying perspectives on the show’s ratings, while highlighting the achievements and recognition of its honorees.
