By admin 
Introduction
Trump Honors George Strait, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone & KISS in a Star-Studded Kennedy Center Medallion Ceremony
In a ceremony filled with applause, light-hearted humor, and unmistakable star power, former President Donald Trump presided over a special presentation of the Kennedy Center Honors Medallions—an event capturing the intersection of politics, entertainment, and American cultural legacy.
The evening began with Trump welcoming “country music legend” George Strait. With playful banter about Strait’s famously perfect hair, Trump’s tone quickly shifted to admiration as the room erupted in applause. He then introduced Broadway icon Michael Crawford, praising the performer whose role in The Phantom of the Opera became a global phenomenon. Trump expressed warm respect as he presented Crawford with his medallion, calling his work “beautiful” and unforgettable.
The celebration continued with disco queen Gloria Gaynor, whom Trump recognized as “nobody did it like her.” Her influence on American disco, especially with her timeless anthem “I Will Survive,” drew cheers from the audience. Trump again joked about good hair—this time declaring Gaynor’s “a beautiful head of hair”—before shifting to heartfelt gratitude for her contributions to music.
A wave of nostalgia filled the room when Trump honored Sylvester “Sly” Stallone, calling him one of the few remaining true Hollywood legends. He praised Stallone’s unmatched cinematic achievements, noting that “nobody played that role—and nobody ever will—like Sly,” a nod to the enduring cultural impact of the Rocky and Rambo franchises.
The ceremony took an emotional turn as Trump recognized members of the rock band KISS: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and the late Ace Frehley—whose daughter attended to accept the medallion on his behalf. Trump referred to KISS as “the hottest band in the world,” applauding their iconic role in rock history.
As the evening progressed, Trump highlighted the newly redesigned Kennedy Center medallions, created with the help of Tiffany & Co., and acknowledged the ongoing renovation of the Kennedy Center building itself—an effort he described as restoring the venue to a level “no place in the country will see.”
He thanked trustees, ambassadors, longtime friends, and distinguished guests in attendance before delivering a salute to the honorees. Trump emphasized how each awardee had shaped entire genres, influenced generations, and left permanent marks on American culture—from the king of country music to disco’s first lady, from Broadway’s Phantom to Hollywood’s enduring action hero.
Looking ahead to the next day’s program, Trump predicted that the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors broadcast would become the highest-rated in its history. With characteristic humor, he joked about television hosts and reviews before closing with sincere congratulations: “This is one of the most special days of your life,” he said, “and a few of you have already told me it already was.”
The evening concluded with gratitude to the media and a transition to the next scheduled event at the State Department—marking a first: a sitting president hosting the Kennedy Center awards.