On Monday, President Donald Trump made a notable visit to the Kennedy Center to lead a meeting with its newly restructured board of trustees. During this gathering, the president discussed potential changes to the institution’s prestigious annual Kennedy Center Honors, including the possibility of hosting the ceremony himself. "I’ve been so busy, I haven’t been able to be here for a long time,” Trump, who serves as the board’s chairman, remarked at the start of the meeting. He added, “And I shouldn’t be, with what I’m doing.”
As reported by The Washington Post, audio from the meeting revealed that the board voted to expand the selection committee responsible for choosing the Kennedy Center honorees. Names discussed for future awards included renowned figures such as Paul Anka, Sylvester Stallone, Johnny Mathis, and Andrea Bocelli. Trump also suggested considering posthumous awards for legendary icons like Elvis Presley, Luciano Pavarotti, and Babe Ruth, though it is important to note that Kennedy Center Honors are traditionally not awarded posthumously. Furthermore, he proposed broadening the event's scope to include politicians, business leaders, and athletes.
During the board meeting, Trump expressed strong opinions about previous Kennedy Center Honors, stating, “In the past, I mean, these are radical left lunatics that have been chosen. I didn’t like it. I couldn’t watch it. And the host was always terrible.” The exact number of new committee members to be added remains unclear, as do their identities. One unidentified board member commented, “We’re expanding the committee so that the search for the Kennedy Center Honors is more inclusive.” Currently, the Special Honors Advisory Committee, which selects honorees, consists primarily of former honorees and some trustees from the center.
Trump indicated he might be willing to host the ceremony, saying, “I don’t want to, but I want this thing to be successful.” The previous year, Queen Latifah hosted the event. The Kennedy Center Honors has been celebrated since 1978 as the center’s premier event, recognizing artists who significantly contribute to the rich cultural landscape of America through the performing arts. Traditionally, the ceremony is bipartisan, with honorees enjoying tributes from their peers on the Opera House stage.
Trump's comments also hinted at a desire for a more conservative lineup of honorees in the future. “We’ll go slightly more conservative, if you don’t mind, with some of the people,” he noted, although it remains uncertain how much influence he would wield in determining the honorees. He remarked, “There are people out there that would not be considered that are much bigger stars than the ones that were being honored.”
The past honorees of the Kennedy Center have included notable figures such as Johnny Carson, Steven Spielberg, Paul McCartney, and Tom Hanks. Last year’s honorees were diverse, featuring filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, musician Bonnie Raitt, and the iconic Grateful Dead.
Trump also raised concerns regarding the financial management of the Kennedy Center, stating that the funds allocated to the institution “have not been properly spent.” He aims to introduce more Broadway shows into the center's programming, which typically includes tours of Broadway productions. Recently, Trump dismissed all members of the Kennedy Center board appointed by President Joe Biden, replacing them with loyalists, including Sergio Gor and Dan Scavino. He also terminated the position of chairman David M. Rubenstein and appointed Richard Grenell as interim president.
Before the board meeting, Trump criticized the condition of the Kennedy Center, stating it is “in tremendous disrepair.” According to officials, the center was described as “filthy,” with reports of vermin and unpleasant odors. Some Kennedy Center staff members acknowledged cleanliness issues but contested the severity of the claims made by Trump’s team.
Coinciding with Trump's visit, Kennedy Center employees were required to return to the office after five years of remote work. Increased security measures were put in place, and portraits of Trump and other key figures were installed in the Hall of Nations. However, several artists, including Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens, have canceled their performances at the Kennedy Center in response to the recent political climate and leadership changes. Notably, the musical “Hamilton” also canceled its upcoming performances, citing a conflict with the center’s new direction.
Trump's remarks about “Hamilton” included, “I never liked ‘Hamilton’ very much,” signaling a broader cultural shift at the Kennedy Center under his leadership. As the discussions unfold, the future of the Kennedy Center and its Honors may reflect significant changes in both personnel and the artistic direction of this iconic American institution.
