Getting Tom Cruise to accept a 2025 Kennedy Center Honor is proving to be mission impossible.
The Top Gun actor was offered the 2025 prestigious award but declined, according to multiple Kennedy Center employees who spoke to The Washington Post.
President Donald Trump, who now serves as the chairman of the Kennedy Center, is hoping to reshape the honors program by pushing for a bigger and more star-studded celebration.
“The 48th Kennedy Center Honorees are outstanding people, incredible, we can’t wait,” Trump said during a press conference on Wednesday, August 13. “In a few short months since I became chairman of the board [of] the Kennedy Center, we’ve completely reversed the decline of this cherished national institution.”
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Trump also said he will personally host the ceremony, which will be broadcast on CBS Sunday, December 7.
Keep reading to learn more about Cruise’s decision to decline the honor and who else will be celebrated:
Why Did Tom Cruise Reportedly Reject Getting a Kennedy Center Honor?
According to multiple Kennedy Center employees, who spoke anonymously to The Washington Post, Cruise declined the honor because of “scheduling conflicts.”
Cruise has not addressed the reported offer. Us Weekly has reached out for comment.
What Are the Kennedy Center Honors?
The Kennedy Center Honors recognize and celebrate individuals whose unique artistic contributions have shaped the world, according to the organization’s website.
Each honoree — whether they are in music, dance, theater, opera, movies or TV — has a “unique place in the fabric of our nation and their influence has inspired audiences from all walks of life.”
Who Are the 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees?
This year, country music star George Strait, rock band KISS, actor Michael Crawford, Grammy winner Gloria Gaynor and Sylvester Stallone will be honored at the annual celebration in Washington, D.C.
“I am beyond blessed and honored to be receiving this award,” Gaynor shared with Fox News. “My hope is that in accepting this honor, I can continue with the inspirational phenomenon that began with ‘I Will Survive.’ Sharing my music and art on a global level to provide encouragement, hope, empowerment, inspiration, understanding and unity is the core of my purpose.”
How Is President Donald Trump Involved With the Kennedy Center Honors?
In addition to serving as the chairman of the Kennedy Honors, Trump said he was “98 percent involved” in selecting the 2025 honorees.
“I turned down plenty. They were too woke,” he said during a press conference. “I had a couple of wokesters. No, we have great people. This is very different than it used to be.”
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Who Has Previously Received a Kennedy Center Honor?
More than 250 people have been awarded since the first Kennedy Center Honors were held in 1978.
In the past five years, stars including Billy Crystal, Queen Latifah, George Clooney and Bette Midler have received the honor.