Kennedy Center Honors Archives - TPR: The Public's Radio

President Donald Trump stands in the presidential box at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

NPR

The Kennedy Center Honors are coming up. This year’s event will be different

by Elizabeth Blair December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

President Trump has made major changes at the Kennedy Center this year, ousting the board chair and president, and naming himself host of the organization’s yearly awards show.

President Trump speaks during the unveiling of the Kennedy Center Honors nominees on Aug. 13, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

NPR

Trump was ‘very involved’ in Kennedy Center Honorees selection, vetoed ‘wokesters’

by Elizabeth Blair August 13, 2025August 13, 2025

Trump announced the Kennedy Center Honorees on Wednesday. They are Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, Kiss, George Strait and Michael Crawford.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: U.S. President Donald Trump talks to the media in the Hall of Nations during a tour at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after leading a board meeting on March 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. After shunning the annual Kennedy Center Honors during his first term in the White House, Trump fired the center’s president, removed the bipartisan board of Biden appointees and named himself Chairman of the storied music, theater and dance institution. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

NPR

Trump makes Kennedy Center Honors announcement. It caught the staff off guard

by Elizabeth Blair August 12, 2025August 12, 2025

President Trump says that the announcement of this year’s Kennedy Center honorees will come Wednesday.

NPR

Kennedy Center pays tribute to the Grateful Dead, Raitt, Sandoval and The Apollo

by The Associated Press December 9, 2024December 9, 2024

A packed house honored the Grateful Dead, director Francis Ford Coppola, jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt. The venerable Harlem theater The Apollo also was recognized.