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Trump Announces 2026 Kennedy Center Honorees as Ceremony Moves to New Venue
President Donald Trump has announced the recipients of the 2026 Kennedy Center Honors, naming five celebrated figures from music, film and theatre for the prestigious recognition.
The 49th class of honorees includes singer Paul Anka, music producer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet and country music legend Barbara Mandrell. Trump made the announcement on Monday, November 2, praising their contributions to American culture and entertainment.
In a statement, the president said the honorees had dedicated their lives to creating work that shaped American culture and inspired generations of audiences.
The recipients were selected following recommendations from the Kennedy Center's Special Honors Advisory Committee, which includes previous honorees, artists and members of the institution's Board of Trustees.
This year's ceremony will mark a significant departure from tradition. For the first time in the event's nearly five-decade history, the celebrations will not take place at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Instead, the December 7 ceremony will be held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The venue change comes amid the temporary closure of the Kennedy Center under Trump's administration for renovations and a legal dispute surrounding the president's repeated efforts to add his name to the performing arts institution.
Among this year's recipients is Anka, 85, whose music career spans nearly seven decades. He rose to fame with his 1957 hit Diana and went on to write several popular songs, including Frank Sinatra's My Way, Tom Jones' She's a Lady and Sammy Davis Jr.'s I'm Not Anyone. He also wrote the theme song for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Foster, 77, is an accomplished composer and producer with 16 Grammy Awards, an Emmy and a Golden Globe. His extensive catalogue includes collaborations with Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Barbra Streisand and Dolly Parton.
Garcia, 70, is recognised for his performances in The Godfather Part III, The Untouchables, Ocean's Eleven and Internal Affairs. His portrayal in The Godfather Part III earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Mamet, 78, is an acclaimed playwright and filmmaker who won the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Glengarry Glen Ross. His other notable works include American Buffalo and Speed-the-Plow.
Mandrell, 77, completes the class. The country singer enjoyed a successful career spanning several decades, winning the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award in 1980 and 1981. She is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The announcement follows Trump's controversial involvement in last year's selection process. After appointing himself Kennedy Center chairman in February 2025, he claimed he was heavily involved in choosing the honorees, saying he had rejected several individuals he considered too politically progressive.
Established in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors recognises individuals whose artistic achievements have made lasting contributions to American culture.
