She wasn’t afraid, or petrified. No, Gloria Gaynor actually had a “wonderful” meeting with Donald Trump ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, Dec. 7, when she was honored alongside Sylvester Stallone, KISS, George Strait, and Broadway legend Michael Crawford.
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On the red carpet ahead of the show, Gaynor was full of praise for the controversial president, who had welcomed this year’s class to the White House the previous day.
“It was wonderful,” she told People. “It was, I mean, like the third or fourth time meeting him,” the veteran singer said. “I’d met him before, and he’s always very personable and very pleasant.”
Gaynor also admitted that Trump didn’t reveal exactly why she got the nod, making her the only woman celebrated during its 48th incarnation, “just that he, you know, believed that my song had done so much for so many people.”
As previously reported, Trump — who also now serves as chairman of the vaunted performing arts house — broke with tradition and became the first President to host the annual gala.
And through prerecorded videos, he introduced every honoree, ensuring a constant presence throughout the show, whether he was on stage or not.
The latest edition will be broadcast on CBS (select Paramount+ customers will also be able to stream the show) on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Gaynor, now 82, was thrilled with getting her dues. “I was in shock,” she told People on hearing the news that she was tapped by the Kennedy Center board, which was installed by Trump earlier this year. “I was literally in shock. Are you serious with me?”
She added, “I mean, really, it’s so wonderful to be counted among all these other great artists, and with all of their accomplishments. I’m blessed.”
After Gaynor was announced as an honoree for this year’s honors, many fans spoke up asking the artist — who is widely considered a gay icon thanks to her perennial anthem — not to accept the honor or attend the ceremony out of protest for Trump’s mistreatment of the LGBTQ+ community.
Gaynor has repeatedly declined to define her political affiliations in the past. However, a report from MediasTouch revealed that, according to FEC records, Gaynor donated almost $22,000 to right-wing politicians starting in 2023, including candidates like Mike Johnson, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn.
