Tom Cruise may be known for doing his stunts, but dodging the Kennedy Center Honors under President Trump’s watch feels more scripted than spontaneous.
Breitbart reported that Cruise declined the 2025 Kennedy Center Honor invitation, citing “scheduling conflicts,” while singer Gloria Gaynor accepted the distinction with grace, despite pressure from the left to turn her back on it.
President Donald Trump announced the 48th class of honorees on Wednesday, naming a diverse mix of talent ranging from veteran entertainers to legendary performers.
The 2025 group includes actor Sylvester Stallone, country icon George Strait, English stage legend Michael Crawford, the rock group KISS, and disco queen Gloria Gaynor. It’s a slate that checks a lot of boxes for patriotic fans of American entertainment, something long absent in the woke age of awards shows.
Despite the high-profile nature of the list, it’s Tom Cruise’s absence that triggered the biggest wave of speculation. Employees at the Kennedy Center told The Washington Post that Cruise passed on the honor due to scheduling issues.
Of course, no one’s suggesting a blockbuster actor like Cruise doesn’t have a packed calendar—but it’s no secret that declining an honor from President Trump tends to earn gold stars over in liberal Hollywood circles.
The drama didn’t stop with Cruise. Co-host of The View, Ana Navarro, made headlines herself when she practically begged Gloria Gaynor to back out of the honors. “Don’t do it, Gloria!” Navarro exclaimed, calling Trump “a stain” on the tradition.
Gaynor didn't dignify Navarro's plea with a direct rebuke, but her response said plenty. She posted the official White House announcement on her Instagram Stories, aligning her name proudly with the award.
In a statement to Fox News, Gaynor left no room for spin. “I am beyond blessed and honored to be receiving this award,” she said—words shockingly graceful in comparison to the attempts to turn the honor into political theater.
Rather than engaging in partisan potshots, Gaynor spotlighted her decades-long career and purpose-driven approach to the arts. She emphasized that the recognition goes beyond politics, calling it an opportunity to continue the message of uplift that began with her hit, “I Will Survive.”
“I hope that in accepting this honor, I can continue with the inspirational phenomenon that began with ‘I Will Survive,’” she explained—not exactly what Navarro wanted to hear, but certainly what America still needs to.
Gaynor also shared that her aspirations as an artist have always been global and positive, stating her commitment to promoting hope, empowerment, and unity. “Sharing my music and art on a global level... is the core of my purpose,” she said.
She doubled down on that message, adding, “I have always focused on a creative path that will help others.” In that spirit, she sees the Kennedy Center Honor not as a political endorsement, but as an affirmation of that lifelong mission.
Her words cut through the hostility with a refreshing dose of clarity, in a time when celebrities are too often weaponized for cultural warfare. One might say her response showed more courage than all of “Top Gun: Maverick.”
While others duck the spotlight when it suits elite narratives, Gaynor is standing upright—another reminder that resisting the mob can still be in vogue, even in Hollywood.
The Kennedy Center Honors were never meant to serve as a loyalty test for entertainers. Yet in recent years, acceptance often means passing muster with the political class—particularly the progressive one.
And while Tom Cruise may have exited stage left with minimal drama, it's the presence of performers like Gaynor that still lend gravitas and dignity to these ceremonies. In an age where virtue-signaling often overtakes achievement, it's refreshing to see at least one honoree choose legacy over noise.