On December 6, President Donald Trump welcomed the 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees to the Oval Office for the official medal presentation — and among the icons recognized was none other than the “King of Country,” George Strait.
Although the Honors ceremony will not air until December 23, the honorees gathered early at the White House, where Trump, chairman of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, personally presented their medals. He praised the group as “truly exceptional,” calling them artists whose accomplishments have “inspired, uplifted, and unified millions of Americans.”
Trump described the 2025 class as one of the most accomplished in Kennedy Center history, including:
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George Strait – Country Music
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Michael Crawford – Stage
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Sylvester Stallone – Film
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Gloria Gaynor – Disco
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KISS – Rock
“We can hardly imagine country music without its King, disco without its First Lady, Broadway without its Phantom, or rock without its hottest band,” Trump said, adding that each honoree has left an “indelible mark on American life.”
George Strait’s Moment in the Oval Office
As Strait approached to receive his medal, dressed in a formal suit and his signature cowboy hat, a brief teleprompter issue prompted Trump to laugh and reset — but the lighthearted moment set the tone for what came next.
When Strait moved to remove his hat, Trump waved him off, saying, “If you want to leave that on, you can. I think we can get it through.”
Strait smiled and took it off anyway.
Trump joked, “Oh, he’s got good hair.”
“A little bit,” Strait replied, “I’ve still got a little.”
The two shared a laugh before Trump placed the Kennedy Center medal around Strait’s neck and shook his hand — a simple but powerful moment between a president and a country legend.
The Kennedy Center Under Trump’s Leadership
After the ceremony, Trump spoke about the ongoing renovations to the Kennedy Center, calling the historic building “tired” and in need of restoration. He promised improvements to décor, acoustics, and overall design, saying the venue would soon reach a level “nobody’s ever seen before.”
Earlier in the year, Trump was unanimously elected chair of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees after replacing previous appointees. His new board includes U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Second Lady Usha Vance, Lee Greenwood, and Fox News’ Laura Ingraham.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. serves as an ex officio member, and First Lady Melania Trump is the honorary chair.
During a March 17 board meeting, Trump said the Kennedy Center will play a major role in restoring the cultural heart of Washington, D.C., saying, “We’re going to make our capital great again, just like we’re going to make our country great again.”
He also suggested future honorees may be “slightly more conservative,” sparking fresh debate about the center’s direction and artistic freedom.