Trump Claims ‘Rave Reviews’ for Kennedy Center Honors Hosting Before Ceremony Ends
Former President Donald Trump declared that he had received “rave reviews” for hosting the Kennedy Center Honors, even as the annual gala was still underway and before any major media coverage of the event had been published.
The remarks, posted on Truth Social late Saturday night, came hours before the 47th Kennedy Center Honors concluded at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Trump, who is once again the Republican front-runner in the 2026 presidential race, has long sought to position himself as a champion of traditional American culture and a critic of what he calls the “woke” entertainment industry.
“Just hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, and the reviews are already coming in — Rave Reviews!!!” Trump wrote. “People are saying it’s the best ever. The talent was incredible, the atmosphere was electric, and the love for our country was on full display. Thank you to all the incredible honorees and performers!”
The post quickly drew attention for its timing. Major news outlets, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Guardian, had not yet published reviews or detailed accounts of the evening’s performances, and no official ratings or audience metrics were available at the time of Trump’s announcement.
Host Role and Political Messaging
Trump’s role as host marked a rare return to a high-profile cultural event in the nation’s capital. The Kennedy Center Honors, traditionally a nonpartisan celebration of lifetime achievement in the performing arts, has in recent years become a flashpoint in the culture wars, with past honorees and performers sometimes clashing with sitting presidents over politics.
Trump, who has frequently criticized Hollywood and the mainstream media, used his hosting duties to emphasize themes of patriotism and national pride. In his opening remarks, he praised the honorees as “true American legends” and highlighted their contributions to music, dance, and theater as part of a broader narrative about American greatness.
“These artists didn’t just entertain us — they helped define who we are as a nation,” Trump said from the Kennedy Center Opera House stage. “They stood for excellence, for tradition, and for the values that made America the greatest country in the history of the world.”
Observers noted that Trump’s tone and language closely mirrored his campaign rhetoric, blending cultural celebration with political messaging. Several guests in the audience, including members of Congress and longtime Republican donors, were seen applauding enthusiastically during his remarks.
2025 Honorees and Performances
This year’s Kennedy Center Honors recognized five individuals for their lifetime contributions to American culture:
- Cher – Iconic singer, actress, and LGBTQ+ advocate
- Common – Grammy- and Oscar-winning rapper, actor, and activist
- Reba McEntire – Country music legend and television star
- Norman Lear – Pioneering television writer and producer (honored posthumously)
- Al Pacino – Academy Award-winning actor with a career spanning over six decades
The evening featured tributes and performances by a wide range of artists, including Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Garth Brooks. Cher received a particularly emotional tribute, with fellow performers praising her resilience, artistry, and decades-long influence on pop culture.
Common’s segment included a powerful spoken-word piece on social justice, while Reba McEntire’s tribute highlighted her role in shaping modern country music. Al Pacino was celebrated with clips from his most iconic film roles, and a live reading from “The Godfather” script by a younger actor.
Reactions and Backlash
Trump’s early claim of “rave reviews” sparked a mix of reactions online. Supporters praised his confidence and credited him with restoring dignity to the event, while critics pointed out that no substantive reviews had yet appeared and accused him of preemptively shaping the narrative.
“He hasn’t even finished hosting, and he’s already declaring victory,” said cultural critic Maya Thompson in an interview with NPR. “It’s a classic pattern: claim success before the facts are in, then treat any criticism as fake news.”
Some entertainment industry figures expressed discomfort with the politicization of the Honors. “The Kennedy Center Honors should be about the artists, not about the host’s political brand,” said one veteran producer who attended the event but spoke on condition of anonymity. “When the president turns it into a campaign rally, it changes the tone of the whole evening.”
Still, others noted that Trump’s hosting style was relatively restrained compared to some of his more combative public appearances. “He stayed on script, didn’t attack anyone by name, and kept the focus on the honorees,” said a White House aide familiar with the event planning. “From a political optics standpoint, it was a solid night.”
Broader Implications for 2026
Trump’s appearance at the Kennedy Center is widely seen as part of a broader effort to reposition himself as a unifying figure ahead of the 2026 presidential election. By hosting a major cultural event and emphasizing national pride, his team aims to appeal to moderate voters and independents who may have been alienated by his more polarizing rhetoric in recent years.
“This is about soft power,” said political strategist David Chen. “Trump wants to show that he’s not just a political fighter, but someone who can represent the best of American culture. Whether that message lands with the broader public remains to be seen.”
As the Kennedy Center Honors are set to be broadcast nationally in the coming weeks, the full public and critical response to Trump’s hosting will become clearer. For now, the former president has already declared the night a triumph — long before the final curtain call.