Country music legend George Strait was formally recognized with a Kennedy Center Honors medal in a ceremony held Monday in the White House’s Oval Office, underscoring his influence on American music and his enduring career. The event, part of the annual tradition celebrating lifetime achievement in the arts, brought together a class of distinguished recipients with Strait as one of the featured honorees.
President Donald Trump, serving as host and chairman of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees for the first such occasion in his current term, presented the honors to Strait alongside other acclaimed figures from film, Broadway, rock and disco.
The 2025 honorees included Sylvester Stallone, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, rock band Kiss and stage actor Michael Crawford.
The ceremony, which deviated from tradition by taking place in the Oval Office rather than the usual reception spaces associated with the Kennedy Center, featured redesigned medallions crafted by Tiffany & Co., a departure from the classic rainbow-ribbon style.
Trump described the group of honorees as among the most accomplished in the program’s history and highlighted their cultural impact.
Strait, often referred to as the “King of Country,” accepted his medal in a moment that reflected his trademark humility and long-standing career marked by record sales and consistent chart success. Earlier coverage noted his relaxed demeanor and characteristic style as he stepped forward to receive the honor.
The Kennedy Center Honors event itself, typically culminating in a televised gala, will be broadcast later this month, offering audiences nationwide a retrospective of the honorees’ contributions to American cultural life.
