On Tuesday, President Donald Trump confirmed he took the stage as "Master of Ceremony" for this year's Kennedy Center Honors, and he's already considering a pivot. The televised broadcast airs tonight, and Trump wants to know: did he nail it hard enough to justify a career change?
From Commander-in-Chief to Professional Host?
In a post on Truth Social ahead of the broadcast, Trump laid out his semi-serious proposition. The Kennedy Center Honors, which he hosted earlier this month, will air Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Paramount Skydance Corp's (PSKY) CBS and Paramount+.
Trump explained that he stepped into the hosting role at the urging of the Kennedy Center board and what he characterized as widespread public support. Now he's asking followers to weigh in on his performance.
"If really good, would you like me to leave the Presidency in order to make 'hosting' a full time job?" he wrote on Truth Social.
It's not exactly out of left field. Trump spent years building a television career hosting NBC's "The Apprentice" from 2004 to 2015, then moved on to co-host "The Celebrity Apprentice," where celebrities competed in business challenges to raise money for charity. NBC is owned by Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) through its subsidiary NBCUniversal.
The president also took a moment to celebrate this year's honorees, calling them "true greats" of entertainment. The list includes Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, rock band KISS, country music icon George Strait, and disco legend Gloria Gaynor.
What the Kennedy Center Honors Actually Mean
First established in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors recognize individuals whose contributions have left a lasting impact on American culture and the arts, according to the center's mission. The 48th edition of the awards will debut Tuesday, December 23.
For decades, the event has been a relatively apolitical celebration of artistic achievement. That dynamic has shifted considerably this year.
The Renaming Controversy That Won't Go Away
Trump's relationship with the Kennedy Center has become a lightning rod for controversy, particularly after he restructured its board and the institution was subsequently renamed to include both his name and that of President Kennedy.
The administration later directed officials to add Trump's name to the Kennedy Center building itself, framing the move as a bipartisan tribute to both Trump and former President John F. Kennedy.
Democratic lawmakers aren't buying it. Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) said the directive is unlawful.
Members of the Kennedy family have been even more vocal in their opposition. Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center, said the administration's record on artists and free expression clashes fundamentally with the values the Kennedy Center represents.
Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) went further, arguing that renaming the center would be akin to renaming the Lincoln Memorial. He called it both legally and historically untenable.
The entire situation puts a spotlight on how political symbolism intersects with cultural institutions that have traditionally operated above the partisan fray.
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