Trump charms crowd during fun, celebrity-packed gala

President Donald Trump on Sunday, December 7, 2028, hosted the Kennedy Centre Honours and praised Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford and George Strait, the slate of honorees he helped choose, as being “legendary in so many ways.”

“Billions and billions of people have watched them over the years,” Trump, the first president to command the stage, said to open the show.

The Republican president said the artists, recognised with tribute performances during the show, are “among the greatest artists and actors, performers, musicians, singers, songwriters ever to walk the face of the Earth.”

Since returning to office in January, Trump has made the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, which is named after a Democratic predecessor, a touchstone in a broader attack against what he has called “woke” anti-American culture.

Honours and humour

Trump said Saturday that he was hosting “at the request of a certain television network.” He predicted the broadcast scheduled for December 23 on CBS and Paramount+ would have its best ratings ever.

Before Trump, presidents watched the show alongside the honorees. Trump skipped the honours altogether during his first term.

Asked how he got ready for the gig, Trump said as he moved along the red carpet with his wife, first lady Melania Trump, that he “didn’t really prepare very much.”

“I have a good memory, so I can remember things, which is very fortunate,” the president said. “But just, I wanted to just be myself. You have to be yourself.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, one of several Cabinet secretaries attending the ceremony, said his boss “is so relaxed in front of these cameras, as you know, and so funny, I cannot wait for tonight.” Lutnick arrived with his wife, a member of the Kennedy Centre board.

Trump appeared on stage three times to open and close the show, and after intermission.

He also talked up each artist in prerecorded videos that played before their tributes.

Trump was both gracious and critical in his comments, praising the honorees but at times showing a mean streak.

After returning from intermission, he said he had toured some of the construction projects launched to renovate the performing arts centre. He said it was a “fantastic” night.

“Well, we are really having a good time tonight,” Trump said. “So many people I know are in this audience. Some good. Some bad. Some I truly love and respect. Some I just hate.”

Celebrating Icons

Since 1978, the honours have recognised stars for their influence on American culture and the arts. Members of this year’s class are pop culture standouts, including Stallone for his “Rocky” and “Rambo” movies, Gaynor for her “I Will Survive” anthem and Kiss for its flashy makeup and onstage displays of smoke and pyrotechnics.

Strait is a leader in the world of country music, and Crawford, a Tony Award-winning actor, is best known for starring in “Phantom of the Opera,” the longest-running show in Broadway history.

Trump said persistence is a trait shared by the honorees, several of whom had humble beginnings.

“Some of them have had legendary setbacks, setbacks that you have to read in the papers because of their level of fame,” he said. “But in the words of Rocky Balboa, they showed us that you keep moving forward, just keep moving forward.”

He said many of the politicians, celebrities and others in the audience shared the trait as well.

“I know so many of you are persistent,” Trump said in his opening. “Many of you are miserable, horrible people. You are persistent. You never give up. Sometimes I wish you would give up, but you do not.”

The ceremony was expected to be emotional for the members of Kiss. The band’s original lead guitarist, Ace Frehley, died in October after he was injured during a fall. During the tribute, a lone red guitar emitting smoke was placed on stage in remembrance.

The program closed with a rousing performance by Cheap Trick of Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Nite” that brought the audience to its feet.

Stallone said receiving the honour was like being in the “eye of a hurricane.”

“This is an amazing event,” he said on the red carpet. “But you are caught up in the middle of it. It is hard to take it in until the next day, but I am incredibly humbled by it.”

Crawford said it was “humbling, especially at the end of a career.”

Gaynor said it “feels like a dream” to be honoured. “To be recognised in this way is the pinnacle,” she said.

Mike Farris, an award-winning gospel singer who performed for Gaynor, called her a dear friend. “She truly did survive,” he said. “What an iconic song.”