when are the kennedy center honors 2025
The Kennedy Center Honors for 2025, marking the 48th annual ceremony, took place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump hosted the event, a historic first for a sitting president, with the ceremony taped for broadcast on CBS on December 23, 2025.
Key Dates
- Medallion Ceremony : Held December 6, 2025, at the State Department, where honorees received their medals from Trump in the Oval Office earlier that evening.
- Main Honors Gala : Filmed December 7, 2025; aired December 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+.
- Announcement : Honorees revealed by Trump on August 12-13, 2025.
Honorees
The 2025 class celebrated lifetime contributions to American culture:
- Sylvester Stallone (actor, Rocky franchise icon).
- Gloria Gaynor (Grammy-winning disco pioneer, "I Will Survive").
- George Strait (country music legend).
- KISS (rock band: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley).
- Michael Crawford (Tony-winning actor-singer).
Event Highlights
Trump's involvement sparked buzz, including leadership changes at the Kennedy Center (he dismissed prior director and board members, appointed himself chairman) and venue shifts like Oval Office medal presentations. Medals by Tiffany & Co. featured the Kennedy Center emblem and rainbow hues. The event followed $257 million in congressional funding for renovations.
Trending Discussions
Online forums lit up with reactions—Reddit threads in r/facepalm and r/MURICA mixed excitement over honorees like Stallone and KISS with debates on Trump's hosting amid past boycotts. Some praised the "non-woke" selections, as Trump claimed influence over picks; others noted the cultural clash. Post-event recaps highlighted red carpet glamour and Trump's self-promotion.
TL;DR : Ceremony on Dec 7, 2025 (aired Dec 23); Trump-hosted with Stallone, Gaynor, Strait, KISS, Crawford honored.
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