President Donald Trump faced an unexpected rejection when Tom Cruise declined an invitation to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The “Mission: Impossible” star cited scheduling conflicts as his reason for turning down the prestigious arts award from the newly installed Kennedy Center chairman.
The rejection came as Trump announced his personally selected list of 2025 Kennedy Center honorees on Wednesday, August 13. Multiple Kennedy Center employees confirmed to The Washington Post that the 63-year-old actor was originally tapped for the honor but declined due to conflicts with his film projects, including his latest “Mission: Impossible” installment and several projects scheduled for 2026.
Instead, Trump unveiled five honorees during a press conference at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: actor Sylvester Stallone, rock band KISS, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, British theater actor Michael Crawford, and country music legend George Strait. The president indicated he was heavily involved in the selection process, noting that all nominees went through his personal approval.
Trump revealed he rejected several potential honorees, stating he turned down candidates he considered too progressive for the ceremony. The president criticized what he perceived as political messaging in awards shows, specifically targeting the Academy Awards for incorporating political content and experiencing declining viewership.
The announcement marked the first class of honorees selected under Trump’s leadership of the Kennedy Center. In February 2025, Trump purged 18 Democratic board members and replaced them with allies, including Vice President JD Vance’s wife Usha Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The new board subsequently elected Trump as chairman on February 12.
Trump’s takeover triggered significant departures from the Kennedy Center. Ben Folds resigned from his position as artistic director of the National Symphony Orchestra, Renée Fleming left her role as artistic adviser, and Shonda Rhimes stepped down as treasurer. Trump also terminated former Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter and replaced former board chairman David Rubenstein.
The president’s selections have generated mixed reactions. KISS members expressed gratitude for the recognition despite previously calling Trump “abhorrent” and criticizing his supporters. Paul Stanley indicated the prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated, while Gene Simmons described the band as deeply honored by the award.
However, criticism emerged from other quarters. “The View” co-host Ana Navarro urged Gloria Gaynor to reject the honor in an Instagram post on August 14, arguing that Trump has attacked the rights of women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals. Navarro specifically noted the gay community’s adoption of Gaynor’s signature song “I Will Survive” as an anthem.
The Kennedy Center has also undergone operational changes under Trump’s leadership. A Washington-area family that handmade the ceremony’s distinctive rainbow-and-gold medallions for nearly five decades was reportedly dropped earlier this month. James and Mila Baturin, who had been crafting the awards on their kitchen countertop since the first ceremony in 1978, learned on August 6 that the Kennedy Center would transition to a new partnership with jeweler Tiffany & Co. for medal design.
Trump announced he will personally host the December 7 ceremony, breaking with tradition of having the event hosted by others. He joked about his long-standing desire for a Kennedy Center award, stating he waited for years before deciding to become chairman and potentially honor himself next year.
The changes reflect Trump’s broader cultural agenda, as he promised to eliminate what he termed “woke” content from the Kennedy Center. House Republicans have also proposed legislation to rename the Kennedy Center the Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts and designate the opera house as the First Lady Melania Trump Opera House.
Cruise has maintained distance from political involvement throughout his career, recently deflecting questions about Trump’s policies during a film promotion tour. The actor told reporters he preferred to focus on movie-related topics rather than political discussions.
The 48th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will air on CBS following the December event, marking Trump’s first time hosting the prestigious celebration that has recognized lifetime contributions to American culture through performing arts since 1978.