US President Donald Trump solidified his takeover of Washington’s John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts on Sunday by hosting its flagship awards programme, mixing politics with a celebration of stars from music and film.
This year’s Kennedy Centre Honours, widely seen as the top US recognition for lifetime achievement in the performing arts, feted actor Sylvester Stallone, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, country musician George Strait, Phantom of the Opera star Michael Crawford and rock band KISS.
Trump, who had a hand in picking the recipients, did not attend Kennedy Centre events during his first term. But he has taken a keen interest in the institution during his second, firing its president, installing a new board that made him chair and ordering a renovation of the building.
It marked the first time that a US president had hosted the Kennedy Centre Honours, a role previously filled by celebrities or other notable figures.
Gene Simmons of KISS and his wife Shannon Tweed. Photo: AFP
He told reporters as he arrived for the show that the Kennedy Centre is “going to be brought back to life”.
“We are saving the Kennedy Centre,” Trump said, with first lady Melania Trump at his side. Trump declined to rule out having his name added to the Kennedy Centre, saying that such a decision was up to the centre board that he now chairs. Last week Trump’s name was put on the US Institute of Peace building.
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