Donald Trump has announced the five recipients of the 2026 Kennedy Center Honors, but this year’s ceremony will break with tradition. For the first time, the event will take place outside the Kennedy Center’s Opera House, moving to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on December 7.
Donald Trump names 2026 Kennedy Center honorees as ceremony moves to Capital One Arena
On Monday, November 2, Trump named Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell as the 49th class of honorees.
Praising their contributions, he said, “We are recognizing amazing artists whose lifelong work has shaped American culture and inspired generations of audiences.”
According to People, the selections followed recommendations from the Kennedy Center’s Special Honors Advisory Committee, which includes former honorees, artists and board members. Trump currently chairs the board.
The venue change comes amid the Kennedy Center’s temporary closure for renovations and an ongoing legal dispute over Trump’s efforts to add his name to the institution.
The five honorees have built distinguished careers across entertainment. Anka, 85, is known for hits such as “Diana” and writing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” Foster, 77, has won 16 Grammys and worked with artists including Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.
Garcia, 70, earned an Oscar nomination for “The Godfather: Part III,” while Mamet, 78, won the Pulitzer Prize for “Glengarry Glen Ross.” Mandrell, 77, is a celebrated country singer who twice won the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award.
Trump also played a significant role in selecting the 2025 honorees after becoming the Kennedy Center’s chairman and appointing a new board. He previously claimed he was “about 98 percent involved” in the selection process.
“They all went through me,” Trump said, adding, “I turned down plenty who were too woke.”
He also joked about receiving the honor himself: “I’ll become chairman. I’ll give myself an honor. Maybe… next year we’ll honor Trump.”
Established in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors recognizes artists for their lasting contributions to American culture. This year’s ceremony will mark the first time the annual event takes place at a different venue.
