Who gets Kennedy Center Honors under Trump? George Strait, Kiss, Michael Crawford being eyed. [View all]

Last edited Wed Aug 13, 2025, 08:35 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Washington Post

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Who gets Kennedy Center Honors under Trump? George Strait, Kiss, Michael Crawford being eyed.

The arts complex’s marquee awards ceremony may see significant changes as Trump continues to overhaul the institution he took over in February.

August 12, 2025 at 7:18 p.m. EDTYesterday at 7:18 p.m. EDT



The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (Maansi Srivastava/For The Washington Post)

By Travis M. Andrews

Of the more than 2,000 events that take place each year at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, one looms above all the others: the Kennedy Center Honors. One of the center’s largest fundraisers, the annual black-tie gala and television broadcast is a magnet for A-listers and prominent Washingtonians. Earning the honors can be a major career highlight.

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The Kennedy Center has seriously considered several names to receive this year’s honors, including country music legend George Strait, glam-metal icons Kiss and the English actor Michael Crawford, according to several current and former employees with knowledge of the center’s plans who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss them publicly.

The picks have to agree to receive the prize, and it was unclear which, if any, of these names had made the final list. But on Tuesday the Kennedy Center offered some clues in an Instagram caption: “a country music icon, an Englishman, a New York City Rock band, a dance Queen and a multi-billion dollar Actor walk into the Kennedy Center Opera House….” Trump plans to announce the picks at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday.

The list of potential honorees wouldn’t feel out of place at many honors, which have spotlighted luminaries across artistic disciplines. Strait, for example, would not be the first country star to receive the honors, nor Kiss the first ’70s rock band. At the same time, Trump is known to be a fan of the musical “The Phantom of Opera,” the title role of which was originated by Crawford.

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By Travis M. Andrews
Travis M. Andrews is a feature writer for The Washington Post. He is also the author of "Because He's Jeff Goldblum," a rumination on the enigmatic actor's career and an exploration of fame in the 21st century. He joined The Post in 2016.follow on X@travismandrews

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2025/08/12/kennedy-center-honors-trump/