In a surprising move that’s reshaping the cultural landscape, former President Donald Trump has dramatically transformed the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by installing himself as chairman and handpicking this year’s prestigious Kennedy Center Honors recipients.

The lineup includes country music legend George Strait, Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone, disco queen Gloria Gaynor, rock band Kiss, and Broadway star Michael Crawford. Unlike previous years, Trump personally announced the honorees during a press conference, even declaring that he would host the awards ceremony later this year.

This isn’t just a routine cultural event - it’s a calculated political maneuver. Trump has been vocal about wanting to overhaul what he calls the center’s “woke” agenda, replacing the board of trustees with his own loyalists and hinting at potentially renaming the venue to include his own name.

Some of the honorees have complex relationships with Trump. Stallone, a prominent supporter, has previously called Trump “the second George Washington”. The rock band Kiss has mixed reactions, with member Ace Frehley endorsing Trump in 2020, while Paul Stanley has been critical of the former president’s election claims.

The Kennedy Center Honors, established in 1978, have traditionally been a bipartisan celebration of artistic excellence. Previous recipients spanned political spectrums, with liberals like Barbra Streisand honored during Republican administrations and conservatives like Charlton Heston celebrated during Democratic ones.

Trump’s involvement goes beyond just selecting honorees. He claims to be “about 98% involved” in choosing recipients, explicitly rejecting nominations he deemed “too woke” or too liberal. This approach marks a significant departure from the center’s historical selection process.

The ceremony, scheduled for December 7th, will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. As the cultural world watches, one thing is certain: Trump is determined to leave his mark on this iconic institution.

Whether you see this as a bold reimagining or a problematic political intervention, the Kennedy Center is undeniably experiencing a transformation that will be remembered for years to come.