December was a significant month for the Kennedy Center. In the lead-up to Christmas, the institution controversially changed its name to the Trump-Kennedy Center, accompanied by new signage. This was followed by boycotts, threats of retaliatory lawsuits, and the Dec. 23 broadcast of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, which received historically low ratings.

This occurred after Donald Trump, who became the first sitting president to host the show, had predicted it would be “the highest-rated show that they’ve ever done.”

The low viewership figures did not reflect what was described as a “successful night,” according to representatives of the Kennedy Center.

“Comparing this year’s broadcast ratings to prior years is a classic apples-to-oranges comparison and evidence of far-left bias,” said Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “The program performed extremely well across key demographics and platforms, despite industry and timing disadvantages, including a Tuesday air date two days before Christmas.”

According to THR, Nielsen Live + Same Day Panel + Big Data reported that the special averaged 4.1 million viewers, representing a 26% drop in viewership year-on-year.

Since the 2024 show, however, Nielsen changed its methodology by launching its Big Data + Panel system that combines its traditional panel data with data from smart TVs and set-top boxes.

Additionally, THR notes that the previous show was broadcast on a Sunday with an NFL lead-in, as outlined by the Kennedy Center.

“With overall television usage down roughly 20 percent year over year, the broadcast still tied for the #1 spot among adults aged 25–54, alongside a live NBA doubleheader,” Daravi added. “And on social media, Honors garnered 1.5 billion impressions in just one night — up from only 50 million similar impressions last year. This was a successful night celebrating the outstanding achievements of our Honorees at the Trump Kennedy Center.”

While the serving president traditionally sits in the balcony with the honorees, Trump took the stage three times during the 48^th annual event, which this year honored Sylvester Stallone, KISS, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, and Broadway legend Michael Crawford.

The annual presentation took place on Sunday, Dec. 7, and aired later in the month on CBS and Paramount+, following the announcement of plans to rename the Kennedy Center to The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

Efforts to rename the Kennedy Center, reportedly approved by its board, could face legal challenges. The original laws that guided the creation of the Kennedy Center specifically prohibited renaming the building. It would require an act of Congress to change that now.

The board has changed significantly since last year. In February 2025, Trump abruptly fired members and appointed himself as chair, stating in a post on Truth Social at that time, “At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN.”

Weeks later, the newly installed members of the Kennedy Center board, chosen by Trump, officially elected him as board chair.

Celebrities who have distanced themselves from the Kennedy Center this year include Rhiannon Giddens, Issa Rae, Renee Fleming, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds. The landmark musical Hamilton and play Eureka Day soon canceled performances at the center, while jazz supergroup The Cookers withdrew from a planned New Year’s Eve concert and musician Chuck Redd canceled a Christmas Eve performance.