The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, hosted earlier this month by President Donald Trump, is now available to stream on CBS and Paramount+.
Trump announced the broadcast details in a post on Truth Social, saying the special was scheduled to begin on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET. The president served as host during the Dec. 7 event, marking a historic first in the nearly 50-year history of the Kennedy Center Honors, as no sitting or former U.S. president had previously acted as master of ceremonies.
Opening the ceremony, Trump welcomed viewers with remarks highlighting the cultural significance of the evening. He described the event as “one of the most important evenings in the American cultural realm” and said the Kennedy Center itself was being revitalized in a way “nobody ever thought was even possible.”
In a lighthearted Truth Social post shared hours before the broadcast, Trump joked about a potential career shift, asking viewers to weigh in on his hosting performance and humorously suggesting he might consider hosting full-time if the response was positive.
Since its launch in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors has served as an annual tribute recognizing individuals who have made lasting contributions to American culture and the arts. This year’s honorees included actor Sylvester Stallone, celebrated for his iconic roles in the Rocky and Rambo franchises; disco legend Gloria Gaynor for her anthem “I Will Survive”; rock band KISS; country music star George Strait; and Tony Award–winning actor Michael Crawford.
Trump praised the recipients on Truth Social, calling them “true GREATS in the History of Entertainment.”
The two-and-a-half-hour special debuted just days after the Kennedy Center’s board voted to rename the venue the Trump–Kennedy Center, with early steps already underway to update signage across the complex.
Trump was selected to host the ceremony by the Kennedy Center’s board, which also played a role in choosing this year’s honorees. Speaking to reporters on the red carpet before the Dec. 7 event, Trump said he did not engage in extensive preparation for the role.
“I didn’t really prepare very much,” he said. “I have a good memory, so I can remember things. But I just wanted to be myself. You have to be yourself—Johnny Carson was himself.”
The decision to have Trump host followed his move to replace the entire Kennedy Center board with members more aligned with his administration’s priorities. He has previously indicated that he was directly involved in selecting some of this year’s honorees.
Trump has also publicly highlighted his close relationship with Stallone, who has been named a “Hollywood Special Ambassador.”