Trump on Kennedy Center Honorees
During an interview with Daily Caller reporter Ashley Brasfield on Wednesday, President Donald Trump shared his significant involvement in choosing the Kennedy Center honorees.
Trump informed Brasfield that country singer George Strait, actors Michael Crawford and Sylvester Stallone, rock band Kiss, and disco artist Gloria Gaynor are the latest recipients of the honorary award, recognizing their contributions to American performing arts. He mentioned that he dismissed numerous nominees because he felt they didn’t align with his vision.
Brasfield asked, “How were you involved in selecting these awardees?” Trump responded, “I think I was involved with about 98%. They all went through me… I turned down many. They woke up. I had some Wokesters. But we also have some fantastic people. This is a different approach.”
The Kennedy Center Board saw changes recently when Trump dismissed the 18 members appointed by former President Joe Biden, including current chairman David Rubenstein. He then appointed Richard Grenell to replace Deborah F. Lutter, who has held the position since 2014.
Among those Biden had chosen were former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and former senior adviser Mike Donilon. There have been reports indicating that around 40 Kennedy Center employees were rejected under Trump’s leadership.
Additionally, it was mentioned that the Kennedy Center held a drug-themed show in 2024 titled “Drug Tastic Dress Up.” Trump remarked in February that the Kennedy Center wasn’t the place for him to “wake up.” He criticized some shows as being of poor quality and even described them as dishonorable, stating, “I’ll be there until it gets run right.”
