President Trump on Saturday celebrated a star-studded lineup of the nation\u2019s most \u201cacclaimed and renowned\u201d performers as he gave out newly-minted medals to this year\u2019s Kennedy Center Honorees in the Oval Office.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dressed in a tuxedo,\u00a0he awarded<\/a>\u00a0gold medallions to Academy Award-nominated \u201cRocky\u201d actor and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone, members of the rock band KISS,\u00a0disco singer Gloria Gaynor<\/a>, British actor Michael Crawford, and country music legend George Strait.\u00a0<\/p>\n President Trump awards a medal to Gene Simmons from KISS. Getty Images<\/p>\n Trump gave out the medals in the Oval Office on Saturday. REUTERS<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a group of icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted and unified millions and millions of Americans,\u201d Trump boasted.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled.\u201d<\/p>\n At the ceremony, the president draped a custom Tiffany & Co. medal around each honoree\u2019s neck. Unlike the traditional rainbow ribbon with gold plates, the medal hung from a blue ribbon, featuring the recipient\u2019s name on one side and the Kennedy Center with rainbow colors on the other.\u00a0<\/p>\n The luxury jeweler also donated the prestigious medallions for the event.\u00a0<\/p>\n Trump awards a medal to actor Sylvester Stallone. AP<\/p>\n The 48th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony is set for Sunday evening. REUTERS<\/p>\n Outside the Oval Office, the Rose Garden echoed with hits like Gaynor\u2019s 1978 anthem \u201cI Will Survive\u201d and KISS\u2019s \u201cI Was Made for Lovin\u2019 You,\u201d along with other hits from the performers.\u00a0<\/p>\n The president also highlighted the ongoing renovations at the\u00a0John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center<\/a>\u00a0in Washington, DC.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are making something really special,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been mistreated, a little bit like the White House has been mistreated to be honest with you, and we are bringing it back to a level that I don\u2019t think any place in the country will see.\u201d<\/p>\n