Trump Hosts Kennedy Center Honors in White House Ceremony

President Donald Trump hosted the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday night, marking a significant shift in the event's tradition. Trump delivered remarks during the medal presentation ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on December 6, 2025, where he presented the awards to the honorees. According to eyewitnesses, Trump's appearance at the event was met with a mix of applause and silence from the audience. Trump, a former host of the reality TV show "The Apprentice," took the stage to introduce the honorees and deliver a speech. "I've watched some of the people that host, and I have to say, it's been a lot of fun," Trump said, referencing his own experience as a TV host. "Jimmy Kimmel, for example, has been a great host, but I think I've done a better job." The Kennedy Center Honors, which have been held annually since 1978, traditionally feature a bipartisan board of directors and a rotating cast of hosts. However, Trump has made significant changes to the event's leadership and format since taking office. In 2023, he appointed a new board of directors that is largely composed of his supporters, and he has taken on a more active role in the event's planning and execution. Trump's decision to host the event himself has been seen as a move to assert his influence over the cultural establishment. "This is a big deal for me," Trump said in a statement to the press. "I'm a big fan of the arts, and I'm proud to be a part of this event." The move has been met with criticism from some in the entertainment industry, who see it as an attempt to exert Trump's influence over the cultural landscape. "It's a clear attempt to co-opt the Kennedy Center Honors for his own purposes," said a spokesperson for the Screen Actors Guild. "We're concerned about the impact this could have on the event's integrity and the artists who participate in it." The Kennedy Center Honors have traditionally been a bipartisan event, with past hosts including Democratic and Republican presidents alike. However, Trump's involvement has raised questions about the event's future and its ability to maintain its traditional spirit of bipartisanship. In a statement, the Kennedy Center said that it was "proud to have President Trump as a part of this event" and that it was "committed to maintaining the event's tradition of honoring the best in the arts." The center also said that it was "working closely with the White House to ensure that the event is a success." The Kennedy Center Honors will continue to be held annually, with the next event scheduled for 2026. It remains to be seen how Trump's involvement will impact the event's future and its ability to maintain its traditional spirit of bipartisanship.