Trump Honors 2025 Kennedy Center Recipients in Oval Office Ceremony

President Donald Trump awarded medals to the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees in a ceremony held in the Oval Office. The recipients included actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford. Trump described this group as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled.”

As reporters awaited entry, songs by Gaynor and Kiss played through a sound system in the Rose Garden patio. Trump is scheduled to join the honorees at a dinner hosted at the State Department on Saturday.

Notable Events in Entertainment News

In other entertainment news, singer Darlene Love reflected on her enduring holiday classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which she hears frequently during the festive season. Released in 1963, the song has become as iconic as Bing Crosby‘s “White Christmas.” Love, who performed the song for years on David Letterman‘s show, attributes its lasting appeal to the universal resonance of its lyrics.

Meanwhile, American playwright Jeremy O. Harris, known for his Tony-nominated work “Slave Play,” was arrested in Japan for allegedly smuggling ecstasy. Officials reported that Harris was detained at Naha Airport in Okinawa on November 16 while carrying 0.0275 ounces of MDMA in his tote bag. He had traveled from London via Taiwan for sightseeing. Authorities suspect the drug was intended for personal use and are continuing their investigation, with Harris’ representatives yet to comment.

Vanity Fair has parted ways with West Coast editor Olivia Nuzzi amid controversy surrounding her previous coverage of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. In a statement issued Friday, both Nuzzi and the magazine announced they have mutually agreed to let her contract expire at the end of the year. Nuzzi’s relationship with Kennedy, who now heads the Department of Health and Human Services, was not disclosed in her earlier work for the magazine.

Industry Changes and New Releases

The recent acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix is causing significant shifts in the entertainment landscape. Warner Bros., one of Hollywood’s oldest studios, currently holds three of the top five earning films domestically. Netflix has indicated plans to continue supporting theatrical releases, although it may shorten exclusive windows. Industry experts are concerned about how these changes might impact movie theaters and filmmakers.

Additionally, George Clooney stars in the new film “Jay Kelly,” which streams on Netflix starting Friday. Co-written and directed by Noah Baumbach, the film features a star-studded cast, including Adam Sandler and Laura Dern. The production has led the cast to reflect on their own experiences in Hollywood.

In a notable announcement, Pope Leo XIV will release his first full-length U.S. book, titled “Peace Be with You! My Words to the Church and to the World,” on February 26, 2025. The book will compile sermons and addresses delivered since his election in May, presenting a vision for peace and unity.

The film community has also been remembering groundbreaking architect Frank Gehry, who passed away at the age of 96. Known for his iconic structures such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Gehry’s innovative designs have left a lasting impact on the field of architecture.

Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was recently sentenced to three additional months in prison for violating terms of his supervised release related to a New York gang case. The rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, admitted to violations, including possessing drugs and an altercation at a Florida mall. This comes after a lenient two-year sentence was handed down in 2018 due to his cooperation with authorities.

In summary, the entertainment industry continues to experience significant developments, from award ceremonies to legal controversies and the passing of influential figures.