WATCH: President Trump Announces George Strait, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone, Kiss as 2025 Kennedy Center Honors Nominees – Says he will Host Honors Ceremony in Washington, DC

President Trump announced on Wednesday the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors Nominees on Wednesday, recognizing some of his favorite actors and musicians and revealing that he will host the Kennedy Center awards gala in December. 

Trump said that he will be hosting the ceremony due to popular demand, saying he “didn’t want to do it,” but so many people were asking him to.

@POTUS announces that he will be hosting the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors later this year in Washington, D.C. pic.twitter.com/IcHUjX40F8

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 13, 2025

The Nominees Honorees that President Trump Announced include George Strait, Michael Crawford, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, and Kiss.

The president heaped praise upon each of the nominees, their work, and their accomplishments.

Notably, he gave the longest recognition of “Rocky” and “Rambo” star Sylvester Stalone, one of his Ambassadors to Hollywood, which he selected earlier this year.

Watch below:

.@POTUS announces @GeorgeStrait as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee pic.twitter.com/QWJ89jYXIE

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 13, 2025

.@POTUS announces Michael Crawford as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee. pic.twitter.com/wDpNxgSrSG

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 13, 2025

.@POTUS announces legendary actor @TheSlyStallone as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee pic.twitter.com/wOro0slUCx

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 13, 2025

.@POTUS announces @gloriagaynor as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee pic.twitter.com/YPztXwvCeZ

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 13, 2025

.@POTUS announces @kiss as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee pic.twitter.com/2humQiLBio

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 13, 2025