Gloria Gaynor, Sly Stallone, and the Politics Behind the Kennedy Center Honors
Hey, so here’s something really interesting happening in the world of arts and politics. The Kennedy Center recently announced its latest honorees, and the lineup includes some big names: Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, and the rock band KISS. At first glance, it might just seem like a celebration of pop culture legends, but there’s actually a lot more going on here, especially when you think about the politics behind it.
President Donald Trump personally unveiled these honorees, and this move says a lot about him, his approach to power, and even why he became president. Traditionally, presidents don’t pick Kennedy Center honorees themselves—they might attend a White House reception or show up for the gala. But Trump? He practically staged a full-on production. He reviewed every nominee, admitted to turning down a few for being “too woke,” and even considered honoring himself. Yes, really. The gala will be hosted by him, too, and he’s fully leaning into this as a chance to project his influence over American culture.
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Critics see this as cultural warfare. Trump’s involvement is viewed as an attempt to dominate institutions that have been perceived as liberal strongholds, from universities to museums and now the Kennedy Center. Supporters, on the other hand, see it as reclaiming spaces that were supposedly controlled by “elite” progressives. The choice of honorees reflects this perfectly. Stallone, with his tough, anti-PC movie characters like Rocky and Rambo, mirrors the brash outsider persona that Trump identifies with. George Strait appeals to a traditional, rural audience that Trump has long courted. Michael Crawford, famous for musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Barnum , represents showmanship and spectacle—a kind of mass-market appeal that Trump admires. And then there’s KISS and, of course, Gloria Gaynor. Her anthem I Will Survive
It’s easy to see why Trump’s choices have sparked debate. Some view it as politicizing an arts honor, others as a celebration of popular culture and resilience. But what’s undeniable is that the honorees say as much about Trump himself as they do about the arts. They reflect his values, his persona, and his enduring focus on appealing directly to his base while challenging elite sensibilities.
So, when we look at the Kennedy Center Honors this year, we’re not just seeing a celebration of talent—we’re seeing a mirror of the political and cultural dynamics that continue to shape the country. And Gloria Gaynor, with her powerful message of survival, is right at the center of it all.
If you want, I can also make a slightly snappier, more casual version that would feel like you’re telling this story directly to an audience in a video or podcast. Do you want me to do that?
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