Trump Leads Kennedy Center Honors with Tradition, Boasts, and Quips
Donald Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, marking a significant moment as he claimed to be the first U.S. president to take on this role. The event showcased a blend of admiration and humor, with Trump offering praise for the honorees alongside his characteristic quips directed at the audience, which included several key political figures and supporters.
Trump’s Unique Hosting Style
In his opening speech, Trump noted, “I am going to try and act like Johnny Carson. I miss Johnny.” His remarks included acknowledgments of honorees like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell. However, it remained uncertain how much of this speech would air on CBS later.
Trump added a touch of humor to his presentation, likening some audience members to “miserable, horrible people” while commenting on their persistence. He later jokingly referred to the ceremony as “the Trump Kennedy Center,” highlighting his humor while expressing uncertainty about the reviews he would receive.
Celebrating the Honorees
The celebrations began with a tribute to honoree Sylvester Stallone. During this segment, Arturo Sandoval and Bill Conti performed the iconic Rocky theme, with remarks from actor Kurt Russell and others.
- Sylvester Stallone honored with a tribute
- Performance of Rocky theme by Arturo Sandoval and Bill Conti
- Kurt Russell made remarks in honor of Stallone
Other notable honorees included Michael Crawford, KISS, Gloria Gaynor, and George Strait. Trump sat with these esteemed figures in the presidential box during the event.
Pre-taped Segments and Future of the Honors
Part of Trump’s hosting responsibilities involved pre-recorded segments from his Oval Office desk, where he introduced honorees. He praised Crawford as “one of the greatest talents I have ever seen on stage” and noted that “the spotlight chased” George Strait, not the other way around.
The star-studded event included performances from Kelsey Grammer, Laura Osnes, Vince Gill, and Miranda Lambert, further celebrating the honorees’ legacies.
CBS and the Future of the Event
With CBS holding the rights to the ceremony, high-profile attendees included Paramount CEO David Ellison and TV Media Chair George Cheeks. This year marks the final year of CBS’s rights to the event, with discussions for a new contract anticipated to begin soon.
- Final year of CBS rights to the Kennedy Center Honors
- Negotiations for new contracts with various outlets are expected
As the night concluded, Trump expressed confidence in the event’s success despite predictions of negative reviews, insisting that the ratings would be impressive. The Kennedy Center Honors remains a cherished tradition celebrating outstanding contributions to the arts.
