Country music titan George Strait took center stage at the White House this weekend as he received one of the nation’s highest cultural honors. The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony kicked off with President Donald Trump personally presenting medals to this year’s elite group of honorees, with Strait being the first to receive his award.
The medal presentation, held in the Oval Office rather than the traditional State Department venue, included a moment of humor as the president remarked on Strait’s signature cowboy hat and complimented his unexpectedly lush hair. Strait played along with a grin, offering a dose of charm that matched the historic moment.
Strait joined a star-studded class that included Sylvester Stallone, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, hard rock legends Kiss, and celebrated actor and comedian Michael Crawford. Trump praised the group as paragons of American arts and culture, noting that he had personally curated the lineup, rejecting some artists for being “too woke.”
The ceremony marked a new era for the Kennedy Center under Trump’s second term. Earlier in 2025, the president named himself chairman of the board and appointed key allies, including Richard Grenell, to leadership positions. These changes have sparked significant backlash in the arts community, prompting high-profile resignations from figures like Shonda Rimes, Issa Rae, Ben Folds, and Renée Fleming.
In another departure from tradition, the medals presented this year were custom-designed by Tiffany & Co., featuring the Kennedy Center image with rainbow accents and engraved details. The familiar rainbow ribbon medallions were replaced by sleek navy blue ribbons.
The festivities will continue with a televised celebration, including performances and tributes, airing later this month on CBS and Paramount+. Whether fans tune in for Strait’s moment or to see what other surprises unfold, the Kennedy Center Honors of 2025 are already rewriting the script in more ways than one.