Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center Honors Hit Record Ratings Low: Report

In a surprising turn of events, the Kennedy Center Honors, hosted by Donald Trump, recorded its lowest television audience to date. The broadcast, which aired on December 7 in Washington, D.C., garnered only 2.65 million viewers, marking a 35% decline from the previous year’s audience of 4.1 million.

Significant Audience Decline

The latest ratings reflect a remarkable drop for a show that has traditionally attracted significant viewership. Programming Insider reported this figure as the smallest audience in the history of the Kennedy Center Honors.

Editing Trump’s Remarks

CBS made notable edits to Trump’s opening statements during the broadcast. The network shortened his remarks from 12 minutes to just two minutes, excluding controversial comments in which he described the audience as “miserable, horrible people.”

Event Highlights

• Date: December 7
• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Honorees:
  • George Strait
  • KISS
  • Gloria Gaynor
  • Michael Crawford
  • Sylvester Stallone

Tom Cruise also received an invitation but declined due to scheduling conflicts.

Name Change Controversy

Adding to the drama, the Kennedy Center board voted to rename the facility to the Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. However, CBS clarified that they would not use the new name until Congress formally approves it.

Public Reactions and Statements

Trump promoted his hosting role on Truth Social, asserting that he was asked to host by the Board and “just about everybody else in America.” He jokingly questioned if he should leave the presidency to pursue hosting as a full-time career.

Despite the apparent enthusiasm from Trump and some board members, there are discrepancies regarding the unanimous vote for the name change. Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a board member, mentioned on social media that she was muted during the call.

Conclusion

The broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors this year highlighted both a significant decline in viewership and the controversial circumstances surrounding its renaming. As CBS navigates these changes, they remain committed to using the traditional name until further notice.