A fresh crop of Trump supporters get Kennedy Center Honors
This year's Kennedy Center Honors recipients are Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet, and Barbara Mandrell.
The 2026 Kennedy Center Honors have named five musicians and performers, including those known for supporting Donald Trump. The honorees are singer-songwriter Paul Anka, composer and producer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet, and country singer Barbara Mandrell. In a statement, Trump expressed his pride in honoring these artists, recognizing their contributions to American culture.
Anka, who wrote the English lyrics to "My Way" for Sinatra, had a close friendship with Trump but declined to perform at his 2017 inauguration gala due to a custody battle. Mamet, a playwright behind several acclaimed works, has publicly voiced his conservative views and praised Trump's presidency. Foster, a Grammy winner, and Garcia, known for his roles in "The Godfather: Part III" and the "Ocean's" series, also have ties to Trump.
Mandrell, a country singer, has not commented on her political views. The ceremony, scheduled for December 7 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, will take place off-site while the Kennedy Center undergoes renovation as part of Trump's legal dispute over its naming rights. The host for this year's event has not been announced, but low viewership under Trump's leadership may prompt the organizers to consider a new host.
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