Overview
- President Donald Trump emceed Sunday’s 48th Kennedy Center Honors, a first for a sitting president, recognizing George Strait, Michael Crawford, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor and KISS.
- On Saturday he presented redesigned Tiffany & Co. medallions in the Oval Office, with a navy ribbon replacing the traditional rainbow sash for the awards.
- Trump said he was about 98% involved in choosing the honorees and rejected some nominees as “too woke” after installing allies on the board and becoming chairman.
- He predicted the Dec. 23 broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ would set ratings records and criticized Jimmy Kimmel’s hosting prowess in remarks ahead of the show.
- KISS guitarist Ace Frehley died in October, and his daughter accepted his medal, as the center’s overhaul continued alongside reported staff and artist departures and a congressional renovation outlay of roughly $250 million.