Kennedy Center to recognize Paul Anka, Andy Garcia, Barbara Mandrell at off-site Honors ceremony

Playwright David Mamet, songwriter Paul Anka, composer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia and country music singer Barbara Mandrell are poised to receive the Kennedy Center Honors this year at a ceremony that will be held off-site amid a legal battle over renovations and adding President Trump’s name to the performing arts institution.

The Kennedy Center announced the honorees for its 49th annual awards Monday.

“We are recognizing amazing artists whose lifelong work has shaped American culture and inspired generations of audiences,” Trump said in a statement about this year’s recipients.

“We are proud to honor this year’s class and to continue a tradition that has defined the Center for nearly 50 years,” the president said.

The announcement comes at a perilous time for the Kennedy Center.

For the first time in its history, the Dec. 7 Honors gala will not be held inside the center itself — it’ll instead be hosted at the Capital One Arena in Washington.

Last month, Trump declined to commit to not demolishing the Washington entertainment hub as the legal fights over its name and a major renovation play out.

In 2025, Trump named himself the chair of the Kennedy Center’s board, firing several members and installing a handpicked slate of administration officials and allies.

In November of last year, the board voted to add the president’s name to the facade of the building. The move was later reversed by a federal judge.

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio board member, has since led a legal challenge over the Kennedy Center changes.

The center’s board voted in September to close the main building for renovations, citing statements from its officials that it was “unsafe for continued occupancy.”

Last year’s Kennedy Center Honors — the first ceremony following Trump’s unprecedented overhaul — recognized artists including Sylvester Stallone, members of the band Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait and Michael Crawford. Trump also hosted the event .