The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and President Donald Trump announced the 2026 recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors on Monday, unveiling a slate that features veteran singer-songwriter Paul Anka, composer David Foster, actor-director Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet and country star Barbara Mandrell.
The 49th class of honorees arrives later than usual and under unusual circumstances. The gala, set for Dec. 7, will not be held inside the traditional 2,347-seat Opera House along the Potomac River. Instead, it will shift to the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., Variety and Billboard reported.
A late reveal amid legal battles
Announcements for the honors are typically made between July and September, but this year’s roster was delayed as the institution became embroiled in controversy. The center’s board of trustees, serving under Trump as chairman, voted in December 2025 to add Trump’s name to the building, Variety reported.
A federal judge ruled in May that only Congress has the legal power to rename the facility, leading to the removal of the sign in June. Following a second judicial decision blocking another effort to restore the name in September, the board voted to close the building, citing physical deterioration, Variety reported. Trump has maintained that renovations will not proceed unless an appellate court permits his name on the complex, warning the facility could otherwise be demolished, according to Variety. The Justice Department has supported the administration in court, contending the center risks physical and financial failure without the renaming.
“We are recognizing amazing artists whose lifelong work has shaped American culture and inspired generations of audiences,” Trump said in an official statement released by the center. “We are proud to honor this year’s class and to continue a tradition that has defined the Center for nearly 50 years.”
The class of 2026
This year’s five honorees span stage, screen and music, with three born outside the United States:
- Paul Anka: The 85-year-old Canadian-born songwriter broke out at 15 with 1957’s “Diana” and went on to write Frank Sinatra’s signature “My Way” and the long-running theme for Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.”
- David Foster: A 77-year-old Canadian composer and producer, Foster has earned 16 Grammy Awards and collaborated with icons including Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand and Earth, Wind & Fire, while launching stars like Celine Dion and Michael Bublé.
- Andy Garcia: The 70-year-old Cuban-born actor and music producer received an Oscar nomination for “The Godfather: Part III” and this year premiered his feature “Diamond” at the Cannes Film Festival.
- David Mamet: The 78-year-old dramatist won the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for “Glengarry Glen Ross” and earned Oscar nominations for writing the films “The Verdict” and “Wag the Dog.”
- Barbara Mandrell: The 77-year-old country multi-instrumentalist charted No. 1 country hits including “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed” and was twice named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association before retiring in 1997.
Uncertain broadcast plans
Trump hosted the 2025 honors gala himself, a telecast that suffered a steep decline in ratings, Variety noted. Organizers have not yet announced a host for the Dec. 7 event.
The ceremony’s television future also remains unresolved. CBS had broadcast the annual special every year since its 1978 start, but its contract expired in 2025, and no replacement network or streaming partner has been disclosed.
