Who else is receiving Kennedy Center Honors as Tom Cruise turns down Trump's invite
On Wednesday, Trump announced the 2025 honorees for the prestigious Washington, D.C. event, which 'recognizes and celebrates individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped our world,' according to the Kennedy Center.
ALSO READ| Tom Cruise turns down invite to receive lifetime achievement award from Donald Trump: Report
Who will receive Kennedy Center Honors?
The five names on the list span music, film, and theater: country legend George Strait, rock icons KISS, Broadway star Michael Crawford, disco queen Gloria Gaynor, and Hollywood veteran Sylvester Stallone.
Cruise, known for his action-packed roles in the Mission Impossible and Top Gun franchises was reportedly offered the award this year but turned it down. The Washington Post, citing current and former Kennedy Center employees, reported that the actor's packed schedule was to blame.
Indeed a busy year for Cruise
In November, the Top Gun star is set to receive an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards, alongside production designer Wynn Thomas and choreographer-actress Debbie Allen, announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences back in June.
Meanwhile, Trump himself hinted that he could take center stage at the Honors in the future. 'I waited and waited and waited, and I said, 'The hell with it, I'll become chairman and I'll give myself an honor,'' the president quipped. 'Next year, we'll honor Trump, okay?'
Trump also revealed he will be stepping in as the emcee for this year's ceremony, a role previously held by television legend Walter Cronkite from 1981 to 2002, and later by Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, from 2003 to 2012.
ALSO READ| Trump admin arresting more migrants with no criminal records amid crackdown
Initially, the president said the Kennedy Center's board had chosen 'a truly exceptional class of honorees.'
But pressed by reporters, he admitted,'I would say I was about 98 percent involved ... they all went through me,' Trump said. 'I turned down plenty who were too woke.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
36 minutes ago
- India.com
DNA Decodes: From Alaska To Washington – Trump's Plan To End Ukraine War
The much-anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska has generated intense global debate. The two leaders held a three-hour-long discussion followed by a 12-minute joint press conference. Trump rated the meeting "10 out of 10," raising questions over whether the objectives behind the summit were achieved and if it could pave the way for an end to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. In today's DNA, we analysed the outcomes of this high-profile meeting, the pressure it places on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and its wider geopolitical consequences for NATO, Europe, and global trade. #DNAWithRahulSinha #DNA #DonaldTrump #Putin #Alaska #AlaskaSummit @RahulSinhaTV — Zee News (@ZeeNews) August 16, 2025 Trump Briefs Zelensky, Sets Stage For Peace Talks Following the Alaska summit, Trump immediately called Zelensky and briefed him for 90 minutes on the substance of his three-hour talks with Putin. Soon after, Trump invited the Ukrainian leader to Washington, with the meeting scheduled for August 18. Trump has made it clear that instead of a temporary ceasefire, he will push Zelensky towards a permanent peace deal with Russia. Trump has also indicated that once the Washington meeting takes place, he will facilitate direct talks between Zelensky and Putin, setting the stage for what could be a decisive peace summit between Ukraine and Russia. The White House talks will be their second encounter in six months. Zelensky still remembers his last visit in February 2025, which ended on a bitter note after public disagreements with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. This time, however, the stakes are even higher, with Trump openly stating that "agreement now depends on Zelensky." Economic and Geopolitical Challenges Facing Ukraine The analysis also highlights Ukraine's fragile economy, its heavy dependence on US and EU aid, NATO's role, and Trump's growing scepticism towards the alliance. With over $350 billion already poured into Ukraine by the US and Europe, any shift in American support could dramatically alter the war's trajectory. Trump's Reception of Putin Stokes Speculation Trump's warm reception of Putin in Alaska, complete with a red carpet, joint appearances, and symbolic military salutes, has further fuelled speculation of a new understanding between Washington and Moscow. Observers believe Trump may leverage peace in Ukraine for gains in energy, trade, and arms control negotiations, while sidelining NATO. As the world waits for Trump-Zelensky talks in Washington, the key question remains: Will Zelensky accept Trump's terms for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, or risk being left isolated by the US? ALSO READ: Trump Says Xi Jinping Assured Him China Will Not Invade Taiwan During His Presidency
New Indian Express
36 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Trump backs Putin plan for Russia to take full control of Donbas, freeze frontline in Ukraine: Report
WARSAW: US President Donald Trump backs a Russian proposal for Moscow to take full control of two Ukrainian regions and freeze the front line in two others which Moscow only partially controls, a source told AFP. The source with knowledge of the matter said Russian President Vladimir Putin "de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas", an area consisting of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine. "Trump is inclined to support it," the source said. Trump on Saturday spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders about his talks Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The Ukrainian president refused to leave Donbas," the source said. Zelensky has rejected any territorial concessions, saying he is bound by Ukraine's constitution. But he has not ruled out discussing the issue at a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin. The New York Times also cited two senior European officials saying Trump supported Putin's plan "to end the war in Ukraine by ceding unconquered territory to the Russian invaders, rather than try for a ceasefire".
Hindustan Times
36 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Oasis blasted in South Korea over controversial rising Sun music video; ‘Never set foot here again'
Oasis received criticism after posting a video of a rising sun, which Asian fans claimed was very similar to a representation of Japanese imperialism and Second World War militarism. The Oasis music video has a stylized sun motif with radiating rays that reoccur across a variety of locales, including urban settings and graphic countryside.(AFP FILE) The band posted a music video for their song 'Morning Glory' on social media on August 8. The clip has a stylized sun motif with radiating rays that reoccur across a variety of locales, including urban settings and graphic countryside. Fans of South Korea were outraged that the film was released only days before the country's Liberation Day on August 15, which honors its freedom from Japanese colonial oppression, and quickly pointed out the similarity to the Rising Sun Flag. Later this year, Oasis will perform in South Korea and Japan. On October 21, they will take the stage at Gyeonggi province's Goyang Sports Complex. On October 25 and 26, they will hold two shows at the Tokyo Dome. History of Rising Sun Flag The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy used the Rising Sun Flag, or 'Kyokujitsu-ki' in Japanese, which depicts a red sun with sixteen outward-extending rays, from the late 19th century until Japan's defeat in 1945. The flag is commonly seen in nations like South Korea, North Korea, and China as a representation of military rule, colonial enmity, and wartime crimes was used during Japan's imperial expansion, despite the fact that it is still flown by Japan's Self-Defense Forces today. Proponents of its use contend that it conjures unpleasant historical recollections like the Nazi swastika's symbolism in Europe. Also Read: Mega Tsunami warning issued as Cascadia earthquake could impact millions in US, urgent evacuation plans needed South Korean fans fume 'If you plan to keep disrespecting Korea and never set foot here again, then stick with this one. Otherwise, fire them and get someone else,' one X user wrote. 'Don't you want to sincerely apologize for the Rising Sun Flag and delete the video? Many Korean fans, including myself, are very disappointed,' another commented on the group's Instagram post. 'You can't plead ignorance forever. At some point, it's not a mistake. It's a choice,' a third person said. Controversy around Oasis has already occurred in the region. Frontman Liam Gallagher was criticized in July for using a word that is commonly known to be racist and disparaging to East Asians on social media. 'I'm sorry if I upset anyone,' Gallagher said after removing the post in response to public outcry. 'I love all people and do not discriminate. Peace and love.'
