Trump welcomes Stallone and Kiss: Culture clash in the White House!

Trump welcomes Stallone and Kiss: Culture clash in the White House!

In a glittering setting, US President Donald Trump will receive numerous celebrities in the White House on Sunday evening, December 7, 2025, including the actor Sylvester Stallone and the legendary rock band Kiss. These artists are honored at the Kennedy Center for their outstanding artistic life's work, such as Radio Herford reported. In a solemn ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump presented the winners with their medals.

This year's honors go not only to Stallone and Kiss, but also to the likes of Gloria Gaynor, George Strait and Michael Crawford. According to his own statements, Trump himself was involved in the selection process for “about 98 percent” this year and attached great importance to selecting winners who were not considered too “woke”. His controversial decisions caused a stir in advance, as he rejected several candidates who seemed too liberal to him ABC7.

Loyalty and control

Trump has brought the Kennedy Center under his control since taking office, firing numerous Democratic members of the board of trustees and electing himself chairman. Richard Grenell, a close Trump confidant, was appointed executive director. These changes are part of a broader culture war in which Trump sees himself as a champion of traditional values ​​and denounces progressive views. He reports that he uses the term “woke” as a fighting term against ideas that are perceived as progressive daily news.

Another focus is on the redesign of the medals, which are now dark blue with rainbow colors to reflect the diversity of the arts. Trump also plans major renovations at the Kennedy Center, calling the cultural center the “crown jewel” of American art and culture.

Criticism and reactions

The aggressive takeover of the Kennedy Center has been met with mixed reactions. Critics fear that Trump's influence could lead to an over-politicization of cultural life. Daniel T. K. Paterson, a well-known commentator, notes that artistic freedom is threatened by these measures. Well-known artists have protested against Trump's policies in the past and often prevented their participation in cultural events during his first term in office.

Trump's influence on the Kennedy Center marks an unusual step in American cultural policy. According to reports, the cultural center, which attracts over two million visitors annually and offers over 2,000 performances, has rarely experienced such a direct influence on its programming before a president.

Although Trump has derided many arts and artists during his time in office, the upcoming awards ceremony shows that some in the art world are willing to weather this political swing and move into Trump's world. Stallone, a known supporter of the president, was also named a “special ambassador” for American interests in Hollywood in January.

Given the discussions surrounding the concept of art and the influence of politics on creativity, it remains to be seen how the Kennedy Center will develop under Trump's direction. The coming year also has a big event in store for America's 250th anniversary.