KISS Among Recipients of Kennedy Center Annual Honors

KISS to tour in US and Canada — Source: Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of US rock group KISS perform live on stage, for a one-off Independence Day show as a fundraiser for the Help for Heroes charity, at The Kentish Town Forum on July 4, 2012 in London, England. (Getty Images)

New chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts, President Donald Trump, baulked tradition for the announcement of the annual honors recipients by announcing them himself Wednesday during a press conference, instead of the usual press release. Among the recipients is the legendary hard rock band, KISS.

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Along with KISS, the other annual honors recipients include British actor-singer Michael Crawford, I Will Survive singer Gloria Gaynor, Rambo and Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone and country music legend George Strait. The original members of KISS will be the ones receiving the honors, which include drummer Peter Criss, guitarist Ace Frehley, bassist Gene Simmons and singer Paul Stanley.

Trump confirmed he personally approved each recipient, turning down several suggestions:

“I turned down plenty,” Trump said during his press conference. “They were too woke. I had a couple wokesters.”

Trump also jested about potentially giving himself an honor for next year’s ceremony, noting his time on The Apprentice.

“Since 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors have been among the most prestigious awards in the performing arts,” Trump said. “I wanted one. I was never able to get one. I waited and waited and waited and I said, ‘To hell with it, I’ll become chairman and I’ll give myself an honor.’ Maybe I’m going to honor – next year we’ll honor Trump, OK?”

The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will take place on Dec. 7, and will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.