The 48th Kennedy Center Honors Will Be Broadcast On Dec. 23

Typically, the president is seated with the first lady in the balcony of the Kennedy Center beside those who are being honored… However, this year’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony is a bit different.

On Dec. 23, the nation will get to see part of what has made the 48th Kennedy Center Honors so unique, as they will see President Donald Trump serve as host of the evening’s festivities.

“I must say, this is the first time that a president of the United States has ever hosted this phenomenal event,” Trump stated. “I don’t know why I’m doing it… I’m going to try and act like Johnny Carson. How about Johnny? We miss Johnny, don’t we?”

The Kennedy Center Honors are famously a pre-taped event, with the 2025 ceremony having taken place over the weekend, on Sunday, Dec. 7.

There, Trump introduced the five honorees:

• Country artist George Strait;
• Stage actor Michael Crawford;
• Film actor Sylvester Stallone;
• Disco singer Gloria Gaynor; and
• Rock band KISS.

Trump also provided some comic relief, joking, as seen in a clip released from the event, that the Kennedy Center’s name was going to be changing to the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”

Notably, Trump is serving as chair of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, and his administration’s Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was designated by Congress this year as an ex officio member of the board.

Moments before the ceremony began, Trump was asked about the potential name change on the red carpet, but he turned to First Lady Melania Trump, saying, “It’s not up to me, we have a board of 40 people that are, really, the most prestigious people in the United States. We have the honorary chairwoman, our first lady.”

For Trump, hosting the Kennedy Center Honors is in stark contrast to his participation with the event as well as the performing arts institution, as he was absent from each ceremony during his first term as president.

Watch Trump’s joke, and some of his other remarks from his opening monologue, here:

Of course, there were also many tribute performances and remarks made by individuals who were inspired by the honorees.

Before the ceremony will air on CBS and Paramount+ on Dec. 23, let’s take a look at what to expect from the Kennedy Center Honors, including the tribute lineup for George Strait and the tribute honoring the late KISS founding member Ace Frehley.

George Strait Honored

While presenting the medallions to the honorees on Dec. 6 ahead of the ceremony, Trump said, “We can hardly imagine the country music phenomena without its ‘King of Country.’”

That “King of Country” is none other than George Strait.

While Strait had a humorous moment receiving his medallion, which saw Trump compliment the country star’s “good hair” as he removed his signature cowboy hat to receive his medallion, all Strait had to do at the actual ceremony was sit back and relax.

According to NPR, Vince Gill was among the country artists on hand to honor Strait, with Gill performing the Strait’s song “Troubadour.”

This was particularly timely, as Gill was honored by Strait with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 59th Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19.

Also honoring Strait were country-duo Brooks & Dunn and Miranda Lambert, but it has not yet been announced which song they are performing.

KISS’ Ace Frehley Remembered

The announcement of the honorees for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors was made on August 13, but tragedy would strike in the time between the announcement and the ceremony.

On October 16, one of the founding members of the iconic band KISS, guitarist Ace Frehley, died at the age of 74.

Of Frehley’s death, KISS singer Paul Stanley said on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, “We can mourn him, and celebrate what we accomplished.”

According to the Associated Press, Frehley was remembered in a powerful way during the ceremony.

At one point during the tribute to KISS, a red guitar was placed on stage that smoke began pouring out of. For Frehley, smoke bombs hidden within his guitar were a a staple of his live performances.

Watch a past KISS performance featuring Frehley’s iconic smoking guitar, here: