Tributes, not politics, play center stage as President Trump hosts the Kennedy Center honors ceremony

From left, Shannon Tweed Simmons, 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree and member of rock band KISS Gene Simmons, Gigi Criss, 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree and member of rock band KISS Peter Criss, Erin Stanley and 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree and member of rock band KISS Paul Stanley pose on the red carpet for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

President Trump hosts his first Kennedy Center awards ceremony

(Image credit: Kevin Wolf/AP)