President hosts awards program, mixing politics with a celebration of stars from music and film
President hosts awards program, mixing politics with a celebration of stars from music and film
President Donald Trump solidified his takeover of Washington’s John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday by hosting its flagship awards program – a presidential first – mixing politics with a celebration of stars from music and film.
This year’s Kennedy Center Honors, widely seen as the top US recognition for lifetime achievement in the performing arts, feted actor Sylvester Stallone, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, country musician George Strait, Phantom of the Opera star Michael Crawford and rock band Kiss.
Trump, who had a hand in picking the recipients, did not attend Kennedy Center events during his first term. But he has taken a keen interest in the institution during his second, firing its president, installing a new board that made him chair and ordering a renovation of the building.
He told reporters as he arrived for the show that the Kennedy Center is “going to be brought back to life”.
“We are saving the Kennedy Center,” Trump said, with first lady Melania Trump at his side.
The former real estate developer is putting his stamp on both the White House and the Kennedy Center structures, controversially tearing down the White House’s East Wing to make room for a 90,000-sq-ft ballroom. The Kennedy Center’s new president, Ric Grenell, who once served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany, is overseeing the performing arts complex’s multi-million-dollar renovation and revamping the organization’s events, including hosting the World Cup final draw on Friday.
