President Donald Trump transformed Washington’s most dazzling evening into a headline-grabbing spectacle, hosting the 48th Kennedy Center Honors with unmatched bravado.
On Sunday, the 79-year-old leader broke tradition as the first sitting president to emcee this esteemed event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the New York Post reported.
With cultural icons honored and venue renovations unveiled under his direction, Trump stamped his mark on a night steeped in prestige.
The weekend began with Trump recognizing the awardees in a short Oval Office ceremony on Saturday, laying the groundwork for the main show.
He anticipated pushback for his involvement, yet brushed it off with a sly dig, saying, “If I can’t beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I don’t think I should be president.”
On Sunday, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump commanded the red carpet for nearly 20 minutes, engaging reporters with the ease of a veteran entertainer.
Trump reminisced about his “Apprentice” days, boasting of past ratings and predicting a viewership surge for the Honors broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ come December 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
The evening celebrated luminaries like Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and George Strait, each hailed for shaping entertainment.
Stallone, Trump’s ally and Hollywood ambassador, earned praise for “Rocky,” with Trump noting on the red carpet, “He’s a great guy. He’s done a fantastic job and he really deserves this honor.”
Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” Kiss’ bold performances, and Strait’s country hits dazzled, though Kiss mourned the recent loss of guitarist Ace Frehley, who died from a fall in October.
Trump inspected the venue’s upgrades beforehand, having secured $250 million from Congress to address what he called severe “disrepair” from past mismanagement.
In a humorous gaffe, he called it “The Trump-Kennedy Center” to laughter, quickly correcting himself with a grin that lightened the mood.
His move to chair the board, replace prior appointees, and redesign the award into a streamlined gold and rainbow medal raised eyebrows, as did his objections to previous “progressive” events like drag shows.
Trump skipped heavy preparation for hosting, relying on instinct, yet declared post-intermission, “This is the greatest evening in the history of the Kennedy Center. Not even a contest.”
Critics may scoff at the hyperbole, but Trump’s flair undeniably electrified the night, blending politics with culture in a way only he could orchestrate at this storied venue.
