Summary: CBS edited President Trump’s roughly 12-minute opening at the Kennedy Center Honors down to about two minutes for the televised broadcast, removing several jokes. The network declined to call the event the "Trump-Kennedy Center Honors," saying an official name change would require congressional approval. Internal CBS guidance reiterated use of the established "Kennedy Center" name, and Trump promoted the broadcast on Truth Social. CBS also aired a trailer for Melania Trump’s Netflix documentary during the telecast.
CBS Cuts Trump’s Kennedy Center Opening To Two Minutes, Refuses To Use ‘Trump-Kennedy’ Name
CBS sharply edited President Donald Trump’s opening monologue at the Kennedy Center Honors, trimming roughly 10 minutes from the live introduction so television viewers saw only about two minutes. The televised broadcast omitted several looser jokes, including a reported line in which Trump called the laughing audience “miserable, horrible people.”
Network Stance On Renaming
Although the newly appointed Kennedy Center board reportedly voted to change the facility’s name to the "Trump-Kennedy Center," CBS said it would continue to use the established "Kennedy Center" name on air. The network cited the need for congressional approval before an official renaming could take effect.
Jack Renaud, senior director of standards and practices for CBS, wrote: "CBS News will continue to use the 'Kennedy Center.' If the president or other administration officials use the new name in a soundbite, that is their prerogative."
Internal Guidance And Public Reaction
After President Trump posted in all caps on Truth Social that "THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER HONORS will be broadcast tonight," Renaud sent follow-up guidance to staff instructing them not to refer to the event as the "Trump Kennedy Center" or "Trump Kennedy Center Honors" unless directly quoting someone who may not know that a formal name change requires congressional action.
How The Ceremony Played Out
Contrary to expectations that he might act as master of ceremonies, Trump made only limited onstage appearances and introduced several honorees via prerecorded video segments shot in the Oval Office, The Washington Post reported. During a commercial break, CBS aired a trailer for first lady Melania Trump’s upcoming Netflix documentary, "Melania," and The Hollywood Reporter said the Kennedy Center would host the film’s red-carpet premiere.
Sources: The Washington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, Mediaite.
