Tom Cruise Says No to Kennedy Center Honor from Trump

Tom Cruise reportedly turned down an invitation from Donald Trump to be one of the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees.

According to The Washington Post, Cruise declined the honor because of “scheduling conflicts.” The Top Gun: Maverick star will not be attending the ceremony.

Instead, Trump announced the list of honorees for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors on Wednesday. The lineup includes the glam metal band Kiss, Broadway legend Michael Crawford, country music icon George Strait, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, and actor Sylvester Stallone. Stallone was also part of Trump’s so-called “special ambassadors” to Hollywood, which included Mel Gibson and Jon Voight, a list Trump shared at the beginning of his second term.

Trump also said he will personally host the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. He made a remark about his own long-time desire for the award, saying, “I was never able to get one … I said, ‘The hell with it, I’ll become chairman and I’ll give myself an honor.’ Next year, we’ll honor Trump, OK?”

Trump took over as chairman of the Kennedy Center in recent years, and House Republicans are even pushing to rename its opera house after first lady Melania Trump. It’s not clear if that proposal will pass Congress.

The former president’s hosting role follows his recent announcement that he is forming a special task force to oversee the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, with himself as chairman.

The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony is set for December 7 and will air on CBS.

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