Kennedy Center 2026 Honorees Include Paul Anka, Barbara Mandrell, David Foster

Can you really have the Kennedy Center Honors with no Kennedy Center? Apparently, you can. Over the past few years, the Washington, DC institution known as the John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts has been going through a stretch of absolute chaos under Donald Trump's leadership. Earlier this year, Trump, who'd already had the venue renamed after himself, ordered a two-year closure for renovations. Soon afterward, a federal judge blocked Trump's closure and ordered his name removed from the building, which led to Trump threatening to demolish the venue. In any case, the Kennedy Center is temporarily closed for now, but Trump still plans to hand out Kennedy Center Honors. Theoretically, the annual Kennedy Center Honors celebration is a way for the executive branch of the federal government to recognize and fete the performing artists who have made contributions to American culture. Under the current regime, it's just a chance for Donald Trump to throw a party for the few old celebrities who are willing to show up and kiss his ass, a list that shrinks a little more every year. When Trump announced last year's honorees — including KISS, George Strait, and Gloria Gaynor — Tru...