• President Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, becoming the first president to do so.
• Honorees included Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and George Strait.
• Trump's leadership of the Kennedy Center reflects his critiques of "woke" culture.

President Donald Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, making a historic mark as the first sitting president to lead the ceremony rather than attending from the audience. The honor was bestowed upon celebrated figures in American culture, including Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and George Strait, all praised by Trump as “legendary in so many ways.” The ceremony, which is scheduled to be broadcast on December 23 on CBS and Paramount+, was also a platform for Trump to criticize what he termed “woke” anti-American culture, according to SCMP, LA Times, and NPR.

During the ceremony, presenters refrained from political commentary, focusing instead on personal tributes to the honorees. Sylvester Stallone received heartfelt accolades along with performances that included actor Kurt Russell reminiscing about their collaborations. Gloria Gaynor was honored with her iconic song “I Will Survive,” and KISS's tribute featured a poignant remembrance for their late guitarist Ace Frehley, who passed away in October, as noted by SCMP and NPR.

Trump, who claimed a pivotal role in selecting the honorees, highlighted the significance of American artistry, stating that “billions and billions of people have watched them over the years.” His remarks included a mix of praise and jests regarding the event, even playfully suggesting a possible renaming of the center to the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” His administration has significantly altered the leadership structures at the Kennedy Center, drawing attention for ousting previous trustees and implementing renovations financed by over $250 million from Congress, according to LA Times and NPR.

Despite the ceremonial ethos of the event, the backdrop of Trump's political persona was notable. Previously, the honors ceremony was a bipartisan gathering, but under Trump's presidency, it has become intertwined with his broader cultural critiques. Remarks from past honorees, including some who have been openly critical of Trump, serve as a reminder of the complex relationship between culture and politics, as discussed in SCMP, LA Times, and NPR.