Trump Hosts Renamed Kennedy Center Honors on CBS
CBS Launches Renamed “Trump–Kennedy Center Honors” With President Trump as Host
The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors took on a historic and highly publicized new identity Tuesday night as the ceremony aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, officially debuting under the renamed banner “Trump–Kennedy Center Honors.” The event marked President Donald Trump’s return to television hosting—this time in an unprecedented role as both sitting president and master of ceremonies.
Despite the program being taped weeks earlier, CBS introduced the broadcast under its new title via voiceover, signaling a major shift in the branding of one of America’s most prestigious cultural events.
Opening the ceremony, President Trump welcomed viewers with a message that underscored his vision for the institution following his takeover of the Kennedy Center’s board earlier this year.
“A very big hello and welcome to a very special evening—one of the most important nights in the American cultural realm,” Trump said in his opening remarks. “The Kennedy Center is very special, and we’re bringing this building back to life like nobody ever thought was even possible.”
A Historic First for the Kennedy Center
The 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors were recorded on December 7 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., but only reached audiences this week. While pre-recorded segments did not reflect the name change, Trump’s presence as host unmistakably redefined the ceremony.
Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to host the Honors, breaking with decades of tradition in which presidents typically attended as guests alongside the honorees. This also marked Trump’s first direct involvement with the ceremony after skipping the event entirely during his first term.
The broadcast followed a series of high-profile moves by the president, including naming himself chairman of the board of trustees earlier this year and adding his name to the Kennedy Center’s exterior facade last week.
A Night Centered on Entertainment Icons
Although Trump’s role dominated headlines, the evening itself focused on honoring some of the most influential figures in entertainment history—most notably actor and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone, who served as the event’s Hollywood Special Ambassador.
The ceremony opened with a stirring performance of “Gonna Fly Now” from Rocky, setting the tone for a night celebrating endurance, legacy, and American pop culture.
Trump previewed the event earlier in the day with a social media post, encouraging viewers to tune in and jokingly inviting feedback on his hosting skills.
“At the request of the Board—and just about everybody else in America—I am hosting the event,” Trump wrote. “Tell me what you think of my ‘Master of Ceremony’ abilities.”
Honorees and Star-Studded Appearances
The 2025 honorees included Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, KISS, George Strait, and Gloria Gaynor, representing a wide spectrum of music, film, and stage excellence.
Members of KISS—Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss—were honored following the death of bandmate Ace Frehley earlier this year. The ceremony also featured appearances from Kurt Russell, Kelsey Grammer, Garrett Hedlund, Neal McDonough, Carrie Manolakos, Laura Osnes, and Bill Conti, among others.
Adding to the evening’s visibility, a trailer for First Lady Melania Trump’s upcoming Amazon documentary aired during a commercial break.
Streaming Availability
The 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors is available for streaming on Paramount+, following its national broadcast on CBS.
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