WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday named country music star George Strait, “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, the rock band Kiss and actor-singer Michael Crawford among the first batch of Kennedy Center Honors nominees under his leadership as the center’s chairman and said he’ll host the awards program.

Tom Cruise was reportedly invited to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, alongside Sylvester Stallone, rockers KISS and singer Gloria Gaynor. Trump, as the new chairman of the Kennedy Center, stated that he “turned down plenty” of candidates for the 2025 honours list because of their "woke" politics.

President Donald Trump Wednesday announced the latest picks for the Kennedy Center Honors, naming actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, actor-singer Michael Crawford, musician George Strait and the glam-rock band Kiss as this year's inductees. Trump also said he had "agreed to host" the event.