Country icon George Strait, actor Michael Crawford, Sylvester Stallone, disco legend Gloria Gaynor and the rock band Kiss will be honored at this year's highly unusual John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts honors.

Tom Cruise has reportedly turned down the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors under President Donald Trump. Sources suggest Cruise’s decision stemmed from his desire to avoid political controversy and focus on his career.

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.