Overview

• The Washington Post report relies on anonymous current and former Kennedy Center employees for the claim that Cruise turned down the award over scheduling conflicts.
• Neither Cruise nor his representatives have publicly confirmed the invitation or provided comment on the report.
• President Trump unveiled the five 2025 honorees—George Strait, KISS, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor and Sylvester Stallone—and said he was “about 98 percent” involved in their selection.
• This year’s Honors ceremony, set for December 7 at the Kennedy Center, will mark Trump’s first time hosting after he installed himself as chairman in February.
• Cruise remains slated to receive an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards in November, an accolade formally announced by the Academy in June.