Trump Attacks Oscars and Claims Influence Over Kennedy Center Honors

Former President Donald Trump visited the Kennedy Center to announce his chosen recipients for the prestigious honors, including Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and Kiss. He stated that he was heavily involved in the selection process, claiming:

“I was about 98% involved. They all went through me. They came to Rick, Sergio, and others. I declined many because they were too woke. We’ve got great people, very different from what it used to be.”

Trump criticized the current state of the Oscars, blaming it on “wokeness” and declining television ratings. He remarked that the awards show used to attract around 45 million viewers, comparable to the Super Bowl, but has since seen a decline. He defended his past TV success with The Apprentice, which garnered 42 million viewers in its first season, suggesting the decline is due to the Oscars’ shift away from traditional entertainment.

He also voiced frustration over a past incident with Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the Oscars and mocked Trump live on air. Trump rarely forgets this embarrassment and criticized Kimmel again during his speech. Despite upcoming diplomatic meetings with Putin, Trump appeared preoccupied with his grievances about the Oscars and ratings, which he claims reflect poorly on America’s global image.

Critics argue that Trump’s focus on ratings and personal grievances while abroad undermines America’s standing internationally. His tendency to divert attention to his own frustrations is seen as a reflection of his unpredictable and self-centered approach to public appearances.

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