{"id":8094,"date":"2025-12-07T17:24:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T17:24:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2025\/12\/07\/trump-to-host-kennedy-center-honors-on-sunday-heres-what-to-know-usa-today\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T17:24:33","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T17:24:33","slug":"trump-to-host-kennedy-center-honors-on-sunday-heres-what-to-know-usa-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2025\/12\/07\/trump-to-host-kennedy-center-honors-on-sunday-heres-what-to-know-usa-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump to host Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday. Here’s what to know. – USA Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Dec. 7, 2025, 12:09 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

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The Kennedy Center will soon host the 48th Kennedy Center Honors<\/a>, one of the Washington venue’s marquee events. But this time around, President Donald Trump<\/a> is taking a leading role, after overhauling the cultural center\u00a0earlier this year.<\/p>\n

The annual ceremony celebrates leading American talents each year. The star-studded event is among the capital’s splashiest society gatherings, where the worlds of politics and entertainment collide.<\/p>\n

After skipping the event during his first term, Trump has taken a hands-on approach since returning to the White House. The president will emcee the Kennedy Center Honors this year,<\/a> breaking with tradition and handing out the awards himself. It’s only his latest change to the venerated DC institution.<\/p>\n

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Earlier this year, Trump booted a portion<\/a> of the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees and installed himself as the new chair.<\/a> The reason for the changes, he wrote in a Truth Social post at the time, was the center’s decision to host drag show performances at its venue.<\/p>\n

He has also included the building in his widespread renovation plans<\/a>, and has expressed interest in renaming the center.<\/p>\n

Who are this year’s Kennedy Center honorees?<\/h2>\n

This year’s honorees include a close ally of the president, as well as a disco songstress, a Broadway star and a lauded rock band.\u00a0They include:<\/p>\n