Trump Honors 2025 Kennedy Center Recipients in Oval Office Ceremony

President Donald Trump awarded medals to the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees during a ceremony in the Oval Office. The distinguished recipients include actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the iconic 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.”

The ceremony featured music from Gaynor and Kiss, which played through a sound system on the Rose Garden patio while reporters awaited entry. Following the awards, Trump is scheduled to join the honorees for a traditional dinner at the State Department on Saturday.

Controversies and Arrests in the Entertainment Industry

In other entertainment news, prominent American playwright Jeremy O. Harris, known for his Tony-nominated work “Slave Play,” was arrested in Japan on November 16, 2025. Authorities detained him at Naha Airport in Okinawa after discovering 0.0275 ounces of ecstasy (MDMA) in his tote bag. Harris had traveled from London via Taiwan for sightseeing. Japanese officials suspect the drug was intended for personal use, and an investigation is ongoing. Harris’ representatives have yet to comment on the situation. Under Japanese law, he could face up to 23 days in custody before any potential indictment.

Meanwhile, Vanity Fair has parted ways with West Coast editor Olivia Nuzzi amid controversy regarding her past coverage of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. A statement released on Friday confirmed that Nuzzi and the magazine mutually agreed to let her contract expire at the end of the year. Nuzzi, who had previously garnered attention as a star reporter for New York magazine, faced scrutiny for failing to disclose her personal relationship with Kennedy, who currently serves as the head of the Department of Health and Human Resources.

New Releases and Cultural Reflections

In film news, George Clooney stars in the new movie “Jay Kelly,” released on Netflix. The film, co-written and directed by Noah Baumbach, explores themes of Hollywood, fame, and parenthood. Clooney, alongside a star-studded cast that includes Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup, expressed eagerness to join the project even before reading the script. The production process led many involved to reflect on their own experiences within the industry.

The upcoming release from Pope Leo XIV, titled “Peace Be with You! My Words to the Church and to the World,” is set for February 26, 2026. This will be the first full-length book by the Pope published in the United States. The book will include sermons and addresses given since his election in May 2025. HarperOne, the publisher, describes it as a vision for peace, unity, and reconciliation in a divided world.

As the year draws to a close, film critics from The Associated Press have ranked the best movies of 2025. Topping their lists is Paul Thomas Anderson‘s “One Battle After Another,” followed closely by titles such as “Marty Supreme,” “It Was Just an Accident,” and “Sinners.” The lists reflect a diverse range of storytelling and cinematic achievements over the past year.

In the music world, rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine has been sentenced to three additional months in prison for violating terms of his supervised release related to a gang case. The artist, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, admitted to multiple violations during a Manhattan hearing, including possession of drugs and a physical altercation at a Florida mall. Hernandez had previously pleaded guilty in 2018 for his involvement with the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods and received a lenient two-year sentence due to his cooperation with authorities.

The entertainment landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with significant developments among artists, writers, and industry leaders. Each story reflects the complexities and dynamics of fame, creativity, and the challenges faced within the entertainment realm.