Cheap Trick addresses backlash on Trump Kennedy Center Honors performance
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Rock band Cheap Trick released a statement defending its performance at the Kennedy Center Honors hosted by President Donald Trump earlier this month.
At the ceremony on December 7, Cheap Trick performed the song “Rock And Roll All Nite” in memory of the band KISS, whose members were among the honorees of the night.
The band, which received backlash from fans for performing at an event sponsored by Trump, released a statement on its Instagram account on Wednesday to explain that the decision had nothing to do with politics.
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Rock band “KISS” was among those honored at the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. (Contact via George De Sota/Getty Images)
“We were asked to perform at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony to commemorate our lifelong brothers in KISS and support artists and the arts.” the group wrote. “We agreed to do this for those reasons, not for anyone else.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment.
Other honorees included country legend George Strait, Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone, Broadway icon Michael Crawford and Grammy Award-winning singer Gloria Gaynor.
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Trump began running the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after being elected chairman of the board in February. Since his inauguration, Trump has sought to reform the Kennedy Center following allegations that it was promoting a woke agenda.
The band Cheap Trick defended its decision to perform at the Kennedy Center. (Steve Marcus/Reuters)
During the ceremony, Trump confirmed that he, along with the Special Honors Advisory Committee, played a key role in selecting the honorees.
“About 98 percent of it was me involved…it all came through me,” Trump told reporters.
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“I turned it down a lot, and they were awake,” he continued. “I had a few wake-ups. No, we have great people. This is a lot different than before.”
Trump is also the first president to personally host the Kennedy Center awards.
President Donald Trump walks the red carpet with First Lady Melania Trump ahead of the 48th Kennedy Center Honors on December 7, 2025 in Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
The 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors took place on December 7 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and will air on December 23 on the CBS Television Network and Paramount+.
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday that the Kennedy Center board of directors voted unanimously to change the institution’s name to “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
Fox News’ Ashley Hume contributed to this report.
