The PresidentDonald Trump has announced the Kennedy Center Honors awardees for this year, but he is already teasing a daring suggestion for the following year’s lineup: include his name.
Trump told reporters on Tuesday that the 2025 honorees will include the renowned rock group KISS, Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone, disco queen Gloria Gaynor, country music icon George Strait, and Broadway veteran Michael Crawford. Since 1978, the occasion has been hosted yearly to honor individuals who have significantly influenced American society through the performing arts.
However, Trump swiftly turned the spotlight to himself during the presentation, candidly admitting that receiving a Kennedy Center Honor has long been on his personal wish list.
The Kennedy Center Honors have been one of the most prominent honors in the performing arts since 1978. Trump said that he wanted one. I could never find one. I said, “The hell with it, I’ll become chairman and I’ll give myself an honor,” as I continued to wait.
With reporters laughing in the background, he smiled and said, “Perhaps we’ll honor Trump next year, okay?
Online, the comment sparked indignation as detractors seized on what they perceived as just another instance of Trump’s self-aggrandizement. According to one X (previously Twitter) user, Trump’s persona embodies the quintessential narcissist: a highly self-centered individual with an orange face, shoe lifts, and an exaggerated feeling of self-importance.
Another criticized the remark as desperate, claiming that Trump is now slurring, rambling, and crowning himself while pleading for the arts awards. Leadership is not what this is. It’s his ego’s live telethon.
A third user made fun of his record of self-awarded honors, saying, “No worthy person gives themselves an award.” Similar to all the golf trophies he receives at his own clubs, it is merely meaningless self-validation. There’s a serious problem with him.
However, not every response was negative. An opposing perspective was presented in a social media post that said, “To be fair, his entire performance as President is theatrics.”
Trump also disclosed that, although it initially caught him off guard, he has been asked to emcee the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in addition to his role as president.
He remembered, “I’ve been asked to host.” “I am the President of the United States,” I declared. Do you people want me to do that? He attributed his persuasion to Susie Wiles, his chief of staff, who stated, “Sir, I would like you to host.” “All right, I’ll do it,” I said.
What? A slur Trump recently asked that he earn a performing arts award for himself in an odd, meandering speech about hosting the Kennedy Center Honors. The heck with it, I said. I’ll take over as chairman. I will also honor myself.
This man is ill.Twitter: pic.twitter.com/4mxMeWrtFW
August 13, 2025: CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism)
Trump said that he had no knowledge he was taking the position. He said, “I didn’t want to do it, okay?” “He insisted,” they will claim. I wasn’t insistent. However, I believe it will be a huge success.
Former presidents have attended but mostly stayed out of the spotlight at the Kennedy Center Honors, which are traditionally seen as a celebration of artistic success. Trump’s proposal that he might give himself the medal next year is just another example of his self-centeredness and his belief that he should receive an award intended for creative people.
