Trump's Shocking Medal Ceremony: What He Revealed About the Honorees Will Leave You Speechless!

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a ceremony held in the Oval Office on Saturday, President Donald Trump honored the 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees, presenting them with their medals. Trump expressed his pride in the honorees, stating they constitute "perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class" ever assembled. This year's recipients include actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the iconic rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.

Trump described these artists as a group of “incredible people” representing the “very best in American arts and culture.” In a tuxedo, he remarked, “This is a group of icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted and unified millions and millions of Americans.” Each honoree received a newly designed medal crafted by jeweler Tiffany & Co.. This gold disc features the Kennedy Center's image on one side, while the honoree's name and the date of the ceremony are etched on the reverse. The new medals replace the large rainbow ribbon adorned with gold plates that had been used since 1978.

Trump's relationship with the Kennedy Center has changed notably since his presidency began. While he ignored the prestigious institution during his first term, he has made significant alterations since taking office in January. These changes include replacing the center's board of trustees with supporters from the Republican Party who voted him in as chairman. Furthermore, Trump criticized the center's programming and its aesthetics, promising to implement an overhaul.

The ceremony began with George Strait receiving his medal. Wearing his signature cowboy hat, he hesitated to remove it until Trump encouraged him, joking, “If you want to leave it on, you can. I think we can get it through.” Trump praised Michael Crawford as a “great star of Broadway,” highlighting his lead role in the renowned “Phantom of the Opera.” He lauded Gloria Gaynor as the “disco queen,” asserting, “Nobody did it like Gloria Gaynor.” The president's enthusiasm for Stallone was palpable, calling him a “wonderful” and “spectacular” person, as well as “one of the true, great movie stars” and “one of the great legends.” He described Kiss as an “incredible rock band.”

Notably, music from honorees Gaynor and Kiss played in the Rose Garden as the White House press corps awaited the ceremony. Trump claimed he was "about 98% involved" in selecting the 2025 honorees, a notable shift from previous practices where recipients were announced via press releases by a bipartisan selection committee.

“These are among the greatest artists, actors and performers of their generation,” Trump remarked. “We can hardly imagine the country music phenomena without its king of country, or American disco without its first lady, or Broadway without its phantom — and that was a phantom, let me tell you — or rock and roll without its hottest band in the world.” He emphasized their collective impact on American culture, stating, “Each of you has made an indelible mark on American life and together you have defined entire genres and set new standards for the performing arts.”

In a break from tradition, Trump hosted a State Department dinner for the honorees, where they typically received their medallions. He noted the honorees are more than just celebrities, expressing gratitude for their contributions: “It gives me tremendous pleasure to congratulate them once again and say thank you for your incredible career.”

The Kennedy Center Honors program, a glitzy event featuring tribute speeches and performances for each recipient, is set to be taped on Sunday at the performing arts center, with a broadcast scheduled for later in December on CBS and Paramount+. Trump is expected to attend this event for the first time as president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. During the dinner, he mentioned that he agreed to host the show at the request of a television network, predicting that it would achieve record ratings. Historically, no president has hosted the show before.

Trump confidently declared, “It’s going to be something that I believe, and I’m going to make a prediction: This will be the highest-rated show that they’ve ever done.” He even took a jab at late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, stating that he should easily outperform him in terms of entertainment value. “I’ve watched some of the people that host. Jimmy Kimmel was horrible,” he remarked. “If I can’t beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I don’t think I should be president.”