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George Strait received one of the highest honors in American arts and culture this week, as he was recognized in an Oval Office ceremony ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors. The King of Country Music joins an impressive 2025 class of honorees that includes KISS, Sylvester Stallone, legendary Broadway actor Michael Crawford, and disco icon Gloria Gaynor.
The Kennedy Center Honors, hosted annually in Washington, D.C., celebrate artists whose lifelong contributions have shaped American culture. Country legends such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, and George Jones have all received the honor — a testament to country music’s deep roots in the American story.
TRUMP on country music legend George Strait: "Good looking guy. I hope he still looks like that." pic.twitter.com/HYNwwf5tRC
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 13, 2025
A Presidential Presentation
During the televised announcement earlier this year, President Donald Trump read from a list of Strait’s unmatched achievements across his four-decade career:
“Over an extraordinary four-decade career, George has sold over 120 million records worldwide, amassed 60 #1 hits, and produced 33 platinum albums — more than any other living American. He is beloved by millions around the world. They call him the King of Country.”
Today, Strait and the rest of this year’s honorees gathered in the Oval Office to receive their Kennedy Center medallions. The medals — donated by Tiffany & Co. — debuted with a blue ribbon design in place of the traditional rainbow.
THE KING OF COUNTRY! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/b6fj7G6HS7
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) December 6, 2025
At one point, as Strait removed his iconic cowboy hat, the President joked about the singer’s famously great hair:
“Oh, he’s got good hair. I’m surprised — sometimes they take it off and there’s not a lot.”
The Ceremony Ahead
The 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will take place tomorrow evening, hosted by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The television broadcast of the ceremony will air later this month on CBS and Paramount+, giving fans everywhere the chance to watch the King of Country Music receive one of the most prestigious distinctions in the performing arts.
🇺🇸 WATCH🇺🇸
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 6, 2025
Kennedy Center Chairman, President Donald J. Trump, presents our beautiful Tiffany & Co. designed Medals to the 48th Kennedy Center Honors class.
• Country music icon George Strait
• Legendary rock band KISS (Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley).… pic.twitter.com/X5bzEcaHbL
A well-deserved moment for a man whose voice, legacy, and effortless cool have shaped generations.