Donald Trump says he’s done waiting for a Kennedy Center Honor — so he’s giving one to himself.
Speaking at the announcement of the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees on Wednesday, the former president opened with a rant about how he was treated by the institution in the past.
“I’ve been asked to host,” Trump said. “I said, I’m the President of the United States. Are you fools asking me to do that? Sir, you’ll get much higher ratings. I said, I don’t care. I’m President of the United States. I won’t do it. They said, please.”
He claimed he only agreed to participate after pressure from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Trump then complained about never receiving the honor during his time in office.
“In the Kennedy Center honors have been among the most prestigious awards in the performing arts,” he said. “I wanted one, I was never able to get one. This year, it’s true, actually. I would have taken them if they would have called me.”
Then came the kicker.
“I waited and waited and waited and I said, ‘The hell with it, I’ll become chairman,'” Trump said. “And I’ll give myself an honor. Maybe I’m going to honor — next year we’ll honor Trump, okay?”
He wasn’t joking. Trump says in 2026, he’ll name himself a Kennedy Center honoree.
Watch the video below:
