Making a whole host of changes

The president names this year's Kennedy Center honorees, and says he will emcee.

- BY JESSICA GELT

KISS is one of President Trump's honorees, despite bassist Gene Simmons, left, criticizing him in past.

Bucking tradition once again, President Trump on Wednesday announced his picks for Kennedy Center Honors and said he will host the ceremony himself a first for any president.

Actor and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone, glam-rock band KISS, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, country music star George Strait and English actor and comedian Michael Crawford made the list.

The Kennedy Center Honors, which recognize lifetime achievement in the performing arts, have been given annually since 1978 and are the highlight of the center's season each December. The award is considered a career milestone for the performers who receive it. Past honorees include Leonard Bernstein, Dizzy Gillespie, Lucille Ball, James Brown, Mel Brooks, Paul McCartney and Meryl Streep, among others.

“I want to congratulate all the nominees. They're unbelievable people, and we're going to have a tremendous day in December,” Trump said in a rambling news conference that began with him unveiling five velvet-draped portraits. He went on to mention his recent deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., his contention that the 2020 election was stolen, his disdain for Democrats and his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Making a few unexpected choices

Some culture watchers might be surprised by Trump's choices, particularly that of KISS. Trump fired bassist Gene Simmons during the first season of "The Celebrity Apprentice." Simmons went on to support Trump during his first term, but later spoke out sharply against him in an interview with Spin magazine.

Gaynor was also unexpected. The disco queen is best known for her fierce anthem of female empowerment, "I Will Survive," which has become an LGBTQ+ anthem over the years.