Trump Presents George Strait With Kennedy Center Medallion Ahead of 2025 Honors Broadcast

While the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors will officially air on December 23, this year’s recipients have already received their prestigious medallions — and the ceremony took place in one of the most iconic rooms in America.

On Saturday, December 6, President Donald Trump, newly appointed chairman of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, welcomed the honorees to the Oval Office, where he personally presented each of them with their Kennedy Center medallion. Calling the group “truly exceptional,” Trump praised the artists for shaping American culture and inspiring millions.

A “Historic” Class of Honorees

The 48th class of Kennedy Center Honorees includes:

• George Strait – Country Music Legend

• Michael Crawford – Broadway Icon (The Phantom of the Opera)

• Sylvester Stallone – Award-Winning Actor & Filmmaker

• Gloria Gaynor – Disco Superstar

• KISS – Rock ’n’ Roll Pioneers

Trump described the group as:

“Perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled.”

He continued:

“We can hardly imagine country music without its King, disco without its First Lady, Broadway without its Phantom, Rock ’n’ Roll without its hottest band in the world, or Hollywood without one of its greatest visionaries.”

George Strait Receives His Medallion From President Trump

When it came time to honor George Strait, the “King of Country,” Trump briefly joked about a teleprompter glitch, then invited Strait forward.

Wearing his signature cowboy hat with a formal suit and bowtie, Strait moved to remove his hat out of respect — but Trump stopped him:

“If you want to leave that on, you can. I think we can get it through.”

Strait ultimately removed the hat anyway, prompting Trump to laugh:

“Oh, he’s got good hair.”
Strait responded, smiling:
“A little bit. I’ve still got a little bit.”
Trump added:
“Sometimes they take it off and there’s not a lot.”

After a warm exchange, Trump placed the medallion around Strait’s neck, officially welcoming him into one of America’s highest artistic honors. Watch Trump present the Kennedy Center Honorees with their medals, here:

The Ceremony Continues — and Renovations Begin

Following the medallion presentations, Trump offered a surprising update about the Kennedy Center itself:

“The building is being renovated at a level nobody’s ever seen before. We’re going to make it something really special.”

He noted improvements including new marble, upgraded acoustics, and a full restoration of the venue’s decor. Comparing it to the White House renovations undertaken earlier in his administration, Trump said the Kennedy Center was “tired” and needed extensive updates.

Trump’s Expanded Influence Over the Kennedy Center

After removing several Biden-appointed members from the board earlier this year, Trump was unanimously elected chairman on February 12. His new appointees include:

• Pam Bondi – U.S. Attorney General

• Usha Vance – Second Lady

• Lee Greenwood – Country singer known for “God Bless the USA”

• Laura Ingraham – Fox News host

First Lady Melania Trump serves as honorary chair, as is tradition.

At a March 17 board meeting, Trump signaled where he hopes to steer future programming:

“The next honorees should be slightly more conservative.”

The comment has sparked debate among critics regarding artistic freedom and political influence at the historic institution.

Looking Ahead to the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors

As anticipation builds for the televised ceremony on December 23, fans are especially eager to see George Strait — a man who has shaped country music for more than four decades — celebrated on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.

Trump himself summarized the significance of the honorees:

“Each of you has made an indelible mark on American life.”

The 48th Kennedy Center Honors promises to be a powerful tribute to artists who defined entire eras of American entertainment.