WASHINGTON–President Donald Trump unveiled the 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees during an event at the performing arts hall on Wednesday.
"This year, the voters elected a truly exceptional class of honorees, I mean, really exceptional," Trump said during the ceremony.
Five artists and groups, including country music superstar George Strait, Broadway actor Michael Crawford, action movie star Sylvester Stallone, disco diva Gloria Gaynor, and rock band Kiss, were selected for the prestigious recognition of artistic excellence.
Honorees' photos were revealed from behind red silk coverings as the president announced their names.
Strait sold more than 120 million records worldwide over his four-decade career, compiled 60 number one hit songs—including, among others, "All My Ex's Live in Texas,” “Amarillo by Morning,” and “Ocean Front Property”—and recorded 33 certified platinum albums.
“That is amazing,” Trump said. “He's believed by millions of people to just be as good as you can get, and he's beloved by hundreds of millions of people all over the world.”
Crawford is best known for his portrayal of the Phantom of the Opera in the show’s original run in the late 1980s.
“Michael is truly a generational talent, had a voice that was unbelievable,” Trump said, noting that he was in the audience when the English actor made his first Broadway appearance in 1967 in “Black Comedy”—a physical role that had the star falling down stairs on a nightly basis.
Stallone is revered for his roles in the iconic Rocky and Rambo franchises. A prolific actor with nearly 100 credits, his films have grossed nearly $7.5 billion worldwide.
“He's a very special guy, a real talent. Never been given the credit for the talent,” Trump said.
“He's become a legend of the silver screen, a true legend.”
Gaynor was catapulted into the spotlight with her 1978 hit “I Will Survive."
She won a Grammy in 1980 for best disco recording and another in 2020 for best gospel album.
“Which is incredible, truly a historic achievement,” Trump said. “Not only in terms of the years that have gone by, to be great that long, but to have the two, top two, top of anything, in that span of time and with that kind of period between, is pretty amazing.”
Kiss was formed in 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss.
The group sold more than 100 million records, produced 30 gold albums, and toured the world for decades with their tongues out in their trademark makeup and costumes.
Trump's participation marks a turnaround from his first term, when he opted out of the ceremonies.
Accompanying the president were dignitaries and members of his administration, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and others.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) joined the delegation and was spotted with a red Trump 2028 cap.
Trump said he will host an event in December to honor the performers.
"It's going to be a big evening," Trump said.
The president also brought attention to $257 million in funding included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to renovate the center, which opened in 1971 after construction began seven years earlier.
Upgrades will include exterior and interior details, with every seat removed and replaced in the coming months.
Trump told reporters that renovations at the Kennedy Center will coincide with his efforts to make Washington “crime-free.”
With a trip to Alaska to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin planned for Friday, he downplayed expectations for an immediate resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting the get-together could lead to another in the near future.