The King of Country Music, the Italian Stallion, and Broadway’s original Phantom of the Opera gathered in the Oval Office on Dec. 6 as some of this year’s recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors medallion.
“I’ve been a fan of all of them, and it’s been a real honor to get to know them during this little period of time,” President Donald Trump said during the presentation ceremony. ”This is a group of icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted, and unified millions and millions of Americans.”
“This is perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled,” he added.
This year’s honorees were country music icon George Strait; award-winning actor, director, and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone; musical theater legend Michael Crawford; disco phenomenon Gloria Gaynor; and all four original members of the legendary rock band KISS: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley.
Ahead of the ceremony, Gaynor’s song “I Will Survive” and KISS’s “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” were played in the Rose Garden.
The recipients came forward one at a time, and the president placed the newly redesigned medallions from Tiffany and Co. around their necks. Frehley passed away earlier this year, so his daughter appeared with his bandmates to receive the medal on his behalf.
The president declared that one could hardly imagine country music, American disco, Broadway, rock and roll, or Hollywood without them.
“Each of you has made an indelible mark on American life, and together, you have defined entire genres and set new standards for the performing arts,” Trump told the honorees. “You have set new standards on behalf of every American who has been inspired by the unbelievable talent of Michael Crawford, who has been influenced by the music of George Strait or Gloria Gaynor or KISS, or who has been moved by Sylvester Stallone’s unmatched heart and talent and grit.”
Each recipient thanked him, but no individual comments were given.
The president also addressed members of the Kennedy Center board, including its executive director, Richard Grenell, and Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and he expressed his excitement about the Kennedy Center’s ongoing renovation work, thanks to money provided by Congress.
“We’re going to make it something really special,” he said. ”It’s been tired, it’s been mistreated—a little bit like the White House has been mistreated, to be honest with you—and we’re bringing it back to a level that I don’t think any place in the country will see.”
Following the presentation, the president, honorees, and other distinguished guests left the Oval Office for a special dinner at the State Department with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
