(Washington) President Donald Trump appointed the star of Country George Strait, the actor of “Rocky” Sylvester Stallone and singer Gloria Gaynor among the first nominees for the prices of the Kennedy Center, as a new president of the center. He also announced that he would present the ceremony, where the Rock Kiss group and the singer Michael Crawford will also be rewarded.
The Republican President also announced on Wednesday that he was going to “completely renovate” the infrastructure of the “John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” in order to make a jewel of the arts and culture in the United States.
“We are going to bring it to an never reached level,” he said, adding that the place would be in the spotlight during the 250 celebrationse United States anniversary next year.
Trump said he had not expressed the wish to animate the ceremony, but that he had been invited to do so and that he had accepted.
The Republican President avoided the Kennedy Center award ceremony during his first mandate, after artists had declared that they would not assist in protest. This year, Trump took over the chairmanship of Kennedy Center and dismissed the board of directors, which he replaced with loyal members.
In a publication on Truth Social published on Tuesday, Trump spoke of a name change for the center and said that he would find his glory past.
“Large nominees for the Trump/Kennedy Center, Oops, I mean the prices of the Kennedy Center,” he wrote.
He said that work was underway on the site to “bring it back to the highest level of luxury, prestige and entertainment”.
Future changes
In a statement published on social networks, the Kennedy Center said it was “honored” to welcome Trump, who has been there for the third time since January.
“Thanks to its commitment, our magnificent building will be renovated to give it back its prestige and grandeur,” said the center. We are also delighted to announce the incredible list of winners of the Kennedy Center this year. »»
During a visit in March, Mr. Trump complained about the “advanced dilapidation” of the building.
It is unknown how this year’s winners were chosen. Trump said he wanted to play a more active role. Traditionally, a Bipartisan advisory committee selects the winners. Over the years, personalities as diverse as George Balanochine, Tom Hanks, Aretha Franklin and Stephen Sondheim have been honored.
A message sent to the Kennedy Center press service requesting how the winners of this year were selected remained unanswered on Tuesday.
Kennedy Center prices were created in 1978 and were awarded to a wide range of artists. Until Mr. Trump’s first mandate, the presidents of the two main political parties traditionally attended the annual ceremony, even in the event of political disagreement with the winner.
Eminent progressive personalities, such as Barbra Streisand and Warren Beatty, were honored under the administration of the Republican George W. Bush, and a leading curator, Charlton Heston, was celebrated under the administration of the Democrat Bill Clinton.
In 2017, after the Norman Lear winner had declared that he would not participate in a ceremony in the White House in protest against the federal budget cuts offered by Mr. Trump for the Arts, Donald Trump and the first lady Melania Trump had decided not to attend the ceremony. They remained absent throughout his first mandate. Among the winners of this period were detractors of Mr. Trump such as Cher, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Sally Field.
Canceled events
Since his second term, Trump has adopted a much firmer position with regard to Kennedy Center and has interfered in his governance. In addition to his own appointment to the presidency and the overhaul of the Board of Directors, he also indicated that he would take care of the decisions concerning the programming of the center and undertook to end the events showing artists Drag.
These measures have aroused new criticism from certain artists. In March, the producers of “Hamilton” gave up the staging of the successful musical of Broadway in 2026, evoking the vigorous takeover of the institution by Mr. Trump. Among the other artists who canceled events are actor Issa Rae, singer Rhiannon Giddens and Canadian author Louise Penny.
The Republicans of the House of Representatives added an amendment to the finance bill promulgated by Mr. Trump in July in order to rename the Kennedy Center opera in honor of Melania Trump. However, this place has still not been renamed. Maria Shriver, Niece of President Kennedy and Democrat, described as “wild” a separate proposal from the Chamber aimed at renamed the whole center in honor of Mme Trump.
The prize winners receive a medallion on a rainbow ribbon, a nod to the diversity of skills related to the performing arts. In April, the center replaced the rainbow with its outer lights with permanent red, white and blue lighting.