The 47th president of the US assumed leadership of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts earlier this year and is keen to make his mark on its upcoming events.

President Donald Trump has revealed the honorees for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors, his first selections since assuming oversight of the institution. One of the people Trump wanted to honor, Tom Cruise, has shared his thoughts on the recognition.The annual ceremony, which recognizes lifetime achievement in the arts, is set for December. Trump, who appointed himself chairman of the arts complex in February, revealed the honorees during a visit to the Kennedy Center on August 13.This year’s list features a mix of music legends, Hollywood stars, and Broadway icons, including Sylvester Stallone, disco queen Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, country music powerhouse George Strait, and celebrated stage performer Michael Crawford.
The President will also be taking on a new role this year, that of host, a shift that could bring a distinct tone and format to the annual event. But while the ceremony promises a star-studded lineup, one name will be absent from the stage despite being offered the honor.According to The Washington Post, Tom Cruise was reportedly invited to receive a Kennedy Center Honor alongside the other luminaries but turned down the offer.Multiple former and current Kennedy Center employees, speaking anonymously as they were not authorized to discuss event plans, confirmed the actor declined due to “scheduling conflicts.” Cruise’s spokesperson also opted not to elaborate.
Fresh off the release of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” and with several upcoming projects in motion, Cruise’s packed calendar may have made it difficult for him to attend the December ceremony.While announcing those who accepted the honor, Trump took a moment to highlight their achievements. He described them as “incredibly talented” and an “exceptional class.” He also referred to Strait as “the king of country.”As the audience applauded, he glanced at the star’s photo on display and remarked, “Oh, it looks nice. He’s a good-looking guy. I hope he still looks like that.”Some honorees, such as Gaynor, have shared their enthusiasm through representatives. “I am beyond blessed and honored to be receiving this award. My hope is that in accepting this honor, I can continue with the inspirational phenomenon that began with ‘I Will Survive,'” she noted.Gaynor added that the recognition reinforces her mission to use her music and art to inspire, empower, and bring unity to people around the world. “I’ve always focused on a creative path that will help others and I hope that being awarded the Kennedy Center honor will help me continue this legacy,” she concluded.When reporters asked Trump about his role in selecting the 2025 honorees, he emphasized, “I was about 98% involved… they all came through me.”Trump also shared how he ended up as host. He joked that when first asked, he turned it down, saying he was the president of the US. Even after being told it might boost his ratings, he still refused — until Susie Wiles, whom he had recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, convinced him to accept.As chairman, Trump is ramping up efforts to reshape the honors program, aiming for a more glamorous, star-studded celebration. He praised the institution’s revival since he took over, “We’ve completely reversed the decline of this cherished national institution.”Donald Trump appears to be following through on his earlier vow to restore the Kennedy Center, having previously stated that it had not been properly maintained and needed to be rebuilt into something great.
Sources have shared that the president remains committed to revitalizing the Kennedy Center, with some even suggesting it could one day be renamed the Trump–Kennedy Center.

The institution’s two affiliates, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera, are working with the new leadership team on business plans aimed at boosting endowments and ensuring greater long-term sustainability.