The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, along with President Donald Trump, has announced this year’s slate of honorees.
\n\nPaul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell will receive the prestigious honor at the 49th Kennedy Center Honors, taking place for the first time at the Capital One Arena on Dec. 7.
\n\nThe announcement comes surprisingly late, as the honorees are typically revealed between July and September. This year’s ceremony will also take place as political drama surrounds the institution, which has historically avoided partisan issues.
\n\nThe center’s board, handpicked by its chairman, Trump, voted in December 2025 to add his name to the building, causing widespread outrage. But when a federal judge ruled in May that only Congress can rename the building, Trump’s name came down in June. After the judge blocked another attempt to put the President’s name back on the building in September, Trump’s Kennedy Center board voted to close the center, citing structural deterioration. Trump has said renovations will not begin unless a higher court allows his name to return, warning that building could otherwise end up “ripped down.” Trump’s Justice Department has backed the President, arguing that the center faces…
Original source: https://variety.com/v/tv/