President Donald Trump made headlines while hosting the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors on December 7, taking the unusual step of publicly criticizing some audience members as “miserable, horrible people.”

Trump Becomes First President to Host

At 79, Trump became the first sitting or former president to host the Kennedy Center Honors, an annual event recognizing artists who have made a lasting impact on American culture. This year’s honorees included Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, KISS, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford.

“If there is one thread that connects all of these amazing artists together, it is persistence,” Trump told the crowd. “I can say that with a lot of the members of our audience… but many of you are miserable, horrible people.”

Despite the jab, Trump praised the honorees for overcoming setbacks and maintaining dedication to their craft. He referenced Rocky Balboa as an example of resilience, highlighting the artists’ drive and excellence.

Trump’s Role as Chairman

Trump has reshaped the Kennedy Center since returning to office earlier this year. In February, he removed 18 board members and replaced them with allies, including Usha Vance and Susie Wiles, before being elected chairman of the board on February 12. Trump claimed the changes were necessary to “make sure it runs properly” and said he had rejected potential honorees who were “too woke.”

“The Kennedy Center is back, and it’s going to be bigger and better and more beautiful than ever before,” he told the audience. “You’ll see it taking place before your very eyes… we raised over $100 million in the last month. They’ve never come close.”

Controversial Remarks and Proposals

Earlier this year, Republicans introduced the “Make Entertainment Great Again Act,” proposing to rename the Kennedy Center the Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts, and suggested renaming the Opera House after First Lady Melania Trump. Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, criticized the move on social media, calling it an attempt to “suppress free expression” and minimize the legacy of past heroes.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump previously attended their first Kennedy Center show in June, catching Les Misérables, an appearance met with boos from the audience.

Honorees at the 2025 Kennedy Center

• Sylvester Stallone – Actor and director
• George Strait – Country music legend
• KISS – Rock band
• Gloria Gaynor – Disco icon
• Michael Crawford – Broadway and West End star