Kennedy Center Honors Not Quite as Whacky This Year

Playwright David Mamet is among this
year's not-totally bizarre Kennedy Center 
Honors list

The Kennedy Center Honors for 2026 have been announced and they are not quite as nutty as last year's, the first group of Trump's insane takeover of the formerly revered arts center. The previous honorees included dubious choices such as KISS, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor and Michael Crawford, who sole qualification seemed to be starring in Trumpy's favorite musical Phantom of the Opera almost 40 years ago. While the 2026 winners are also MAGA friendly, at least they are not totally without artistic merit. David Mamet is a Jan. 6 apologist, has been spouting right-wing diatribes lately, and his recent theatrical output has been not top drawer (China Doll, The Anarchist), but he is a Pulitzer Prize recipient and has had many important works ranging from Glengarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo. Trump probably likes that he includes a lot of swear words in his plays.

Paul Anka has contributed many standard songs to pop culture including that immortal Kodak commercial jingle "Good Morning, Yesterday" and he's also allowed Trump to alter the lyric of his classic "My Way" to reference Mara-Lago. Andy Garcia? What's the last movie he was in that anyone heard of? His most recent credits are the third remake of Father of the Bride for HBO, Expendables 4 and some episodes of Landman. Probably they couldn't find another actor with any degree of name recognitions to accept. Garcia is from Cuba and vehemently anti-Communist which qualifies for this honor. The list is rounded out by the now-obligatory country-music choice Barbara Mandrell and music producer David Foster, a personal friend of Trump's who turned down organizing the music for Trump's first inauguration but has since put on shows for Mara-Lago fundraisers.

Surprisingly there was no Kelsey Grammar, Nikki Minaj, Roseanne, Scott Baio or Kid Rock.

For the first time, the awards will not be presented at the center itself which Orange Cheeto has vowed to keep closed until his name can be put on the facade despite court orders to the contrary. Trump hosted last year's debacle which received the lowest ratings in its history. It's not clear if the Prez will host again but CBS still plans to broadcast the event which will be held at the cavernous Capitol One arena. I might hate-watch again. It can't be worse that least year's.