Overview

• Trump named George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, the rock band Kiss and Michael Crawford as the inaugural honorees under his presidency of the Center.
• He said he will host the December gala, marking a reversal from his absence at past ceremonies after artists protested.
• Trump pledged a comprehensive renovation of the Kennedy Center and hinted at renaming the venue to make it a “jewel of the crown.”
• Earlier this year he assumed the Center’s presidency and replaced its bipartisan board of trustees with loyalists.
• The Kennedy Center has welcomed the renovation plans but has not detailed how this year’s honorees were chosen, fueling concerns over politicization.