Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump made headlines during the 2025 Kennedy Center honors ceremony with an unexpected commentary on late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel. The Trump Kennedy Center honors event, held at the Oval Office, marked a historic first as Trump became the inaugural president to personally host the prestigious awards ceremony.
The Jimmy Kimmel Commentary
During the Trump Kennedy Center honors presentation on Saturday, the President delivered sharp criticism of comedian and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s performance style. Trump stated, “I’ve watched some of the people that host. Jimmy Kimmel was horrible. If I can’t beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I don’t think I should be president.”
This self-deprecating yet pointed remark at the Trump Kennedy Center honors ceremony showcased the President’s characteristic speaking style, mixing criticism of media personalities with commentary on his own capabilities. The unexpected reference to Kimmel added an element of controversy to what is traditionally a celebration of American artistic achievement.
Presidential Hosting Debut
The Trump Kennedy Center honors ceremony represented a significant departure from tradition, as Trump became the first sitting president to personally host the awards presentation. Acknowledging this historic moment, Trump commented on the unprecedented nature of his role during the event.
“We have never had a president hosting the awards before. This is the first. I’m sure they’ll give me great reviews, right? You know, they’ll say he was horrible. He was terrible. It was a horrible situation. No, we’ll do fine,” Trump remarked, demonstrating awareness of potential criticism while maintaining confidence in his hosting abilities.
This self-aware commentary at the Trump Kennedy Center honors reflected the President’s anticipation of media response while asserting his determination to successfully execute the ceremonial duties.
The 2025 Honorees
The Trump Kennedy Center honors ceremony celebrated an exceptional group of artists representing diverse facets of American entertainment and culture. This year’s distinguished recipients included actor Sylvester Stallone, renowned for his iconic roles in film; singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, both legends in their respective musical genres; legendary rock band Kiss; and accomplished actor-singer Michael Crawford.
Trump praised the recipients during the Trump Kennedy Center honors presentation, describing them as “incredible people” who embody the “very best in American arts and culture.” He added personal touches to his remarks by noting, “I know most of them and I’ve been a fan of all of them.”
Presidential Praise and Recognition
Dressed formally in a tuxedo for the Trump Kennedy Center honors ceremony, the President delivered effusive praise for the honorees. He characterized them as “a group of icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted and unified millions and millions of Americans.”
Trump went further in his assessment of the 2025 class at the Trump Kennedy Center honors, declaring, “This is perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled.” This statement positioned the current year’s recipients as exceptional even within the prestigious history of the awards.
Presidential Involvement in Selection
The Trump Kennedy Center honors selection process itself marked a departure from traditional protocols. In August, Trump revealed his substantial involvement in choosing the 2025 honorees, stating he was “about 98% involved” in the selection process when he personally announced the recipients at the Kennedy Center.
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This hands-on approach to the Trump Kennedy Center honors represented a shift from previous administrations, where honorees were typically announced through standard press releases rather than personal presidential announcements. Trump’s direct involvement underscored his interest in personally shaping the ceremony’s direction.
Ceremony Venue and Format
The Trump Kennedy Center honors medals were presented during a ceremony at the Oval Office, providing an intimate and prestigious setting for recognizing American artistic excellence. The Department of State also hosted a medallion reception as part of the 48th Kennedy Center Honors celebrations.
The Oval Office location for the Trump Kennedy Center honors medal presentation added gravitas to the event, placing America’s most distinguished artists in the symbolic heart of presidential power and emphasizing the national significance of their contributions.
Significance of the Awards
The Kennedy Center Honors represent one of America’s most prestigious cultural recognitions, celebrating individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to American culture through performing arts. The Trump Kennedy Center honors continued this tradition while introducing new elements through presidential hosting and personal involvement in selection.
The awards recognize lifetime achievement in various artistic disciplines, and this year’s diverse group of recipients at the Trump Kennedy Center honors ceremony exemplified the breadth of American creative excellence across film, music, theater, and popular entertainment.
Looking Forward
The Trump Kennedy Center honors ceremony sets new precedents for how future administrations might engage with America’s premier cultural awards. Whether subsequent presidents will maintain this level of personal involvement and hosting duties remains to be seen, but the 2025 ceremony has established a new benchmark for presidential participation in celebrating American artistic achievement.
