Gloria Gaynor Describes a ‘Wonderful’ Exchange With Donald Trump Before the Kennedy Center Honors

Gloria Gaynor said she had a warm, untroubled encounter with Donald Trump moments before the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony on December 7, 2025. Gaynor — who was recognized alongside Sylvester Stallone, KISS, George Strait and Michael Crawford — described the exchange as pleasant and straightforward.

Speaking on the red carpet, the veteran singer told People, “It was wonderful.” She added that it was “the third or fourth time” she had met Trump and called him “very personable and very pleasant.”

Gaynor said Trump did not elaborate on the reasons for her selection as an honoree, only noting that he believed her signature song had been meaningful to many people. She was the only woman in the 48th class of honorees.

This year’s Honors marked a break with longstanding practice: Trump, who now serves as chairman of the Kennedy Center board, became the first sitting President to host the gala and appeared frequently during the program through prerecorded introductions for each recipient.

The event is scheduled to air on CBS on December 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, with select Paramount+ subscribers also able to stream the broadcast.

Reflecting on the honor, Gaynor, 82, said she was stunned when she learned the board had chosen her. “I was literally in shock. Are you serious with me?” she told People, adding that she feels fortunate to be counted among so many distinguished artists.

After the announcement, some fans urged Gaynor — long regarded as an LGBTQ+ icon because of her enduring anthem — to decline the honor or boycott the ceremony in protest of Trump’s record on LGBTQ+ issues. Gaynor has generally avoided labeling her political loyalties.

A report by MeidasNews (citing Federal Election Commission records) states that, beginning in 2023, contributions reported under the name Gloria Fowles total nearly $22,000 to conservative candidates, including Mike Johnson, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn. The FEC contribution search is available here.

For Gaynor, the occasion was ultimately a recognition of her artistic legacy — an acknowledgment she described as deeply meaningful and humbling.

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