Trump Announces 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees

story

17 hrs ago

Above: U.S. President Donald Trump at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 13, 2025. Image copyright: Kayla Bartkowski/Bloomberg/Getty Images

story last updated 16 hrs ago

The Spin

Republican narrative

The Kennedy Center had fallen into disrepair and embraced divisive programming that alienated mainstream audiences, but now Trump is restoring its excellence and returning the center to its original mission of celebrating artistic achievement. It's great that honorees have been selected based on their talent — rather than on their "wokeness."

Washington Times

Democratic narrative

It's no coincidence that the announcement had the feel of both an awards reveal and a political rally — that's exactly what it was. At the same time that Trump has sought to fight so-called woke political programming, he argues that the Kennedy Center will thrive by following the MAGA agenda. As things are going, Trump's quip about being honored next year may come true.

Advocate.com