Trump Celebrates New Renovations
President Trump Awards Medals to Star-Studded Kennedy Center Honorees
President Trump held a special ceremony in the Oval Office on Saturday, presenting medals to what he called one of the “most accomplished and renowned classes” in the history of the Kennedy Center Honors. The event comes as the president continues a sweeping renovation of the historic arts institution, a project he launched after assuming control of the center earlier this year.
According to reporters in the room, Trump emphasized that the Kennedy Center — much like the White House before he restored it — had suffered years of neglect. “We are making something really special,” Trump said. “We are bringing it back to a level I don’t think any place in the country will see.”
This year’s honorees include English actor Michael Crawford, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, American film icon Sylvester Stallone, country superstar George Strait, and the world-famous rock band KISS.
KISS Members Join Trump in the Oval Office
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss were all present for the ceremony, along with the daughter of late guitarist Ace Frehley. The full Kennedy Center Honors event is set for Sunday, but Trump chose to personally recognize the honorees ahead of the official celebration.
Trump Takes Charge After Years of “Woke” Drift
Since Trump assumed leadership of the Kennedy Center and replaced members of its bipartisan board, the institution has been undergoing dramatic change. The president argued earlier this year that the center had become overly political and “too woke,” losing its original mission of celebrating American arts and culture.
Following Trump’s shake-up, performers and administrators who disagreed with the new direction stepped aside, and ticket sales dropped sharply — a development supporters say reflects the need for overdue reform.
A Major Restoration Underway
In March, Trump toured the aging building and called it “in tremendous disrepair.” He pledged to restore it to world-class standards and has provided regular updates on the project.
On Truth Social, Trump showed photos of the Kennedy Center’s iconic columns newly painted in a clean, bright white — replacing the long-criticized gold finish. He joked that the updated building could almost be called the “TRUMP KENNEDY Center.”
Trump Accepts FIFA’s First Peace Prize
On Friday, the president returned to the Kennedy Center for a different reason: to receive the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize, a new international award created ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host. The trophy was prominently displayed on Trump’s Oval Office desk during Saturday’s honors ceremony.
White House Ballroom Renovation Also Moving Forward
Earlier Saturday, Trump addressed criticism of the costs associated with another renovation he is leading — the expansion of the White House ballroom. He assured critics that the updated space will be “much bigger and more beautiful” once completed, reinforcing his broader effort to restore American institutions to the strength and splendor they once represented.
