How Sly Stallone and Gloria Gaynor explain Trump and his presidency

President Trump took Washington by surprise this week with a big-budget celebration at the Kennedy Center—bringing back the grandeur and traditional values long missing from federal events. Singing country icon George Strait, film legend Sylvester Stallone, backstage great Betty Gaynor, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers KISS headlined a show that was unapologetically American.

Trump opened by praising the artists: “George Strait… a legend.” He also noted Boots Randolph, honoring American music’s traditions alongside its future. They weren’t there for woke messaging—they were there to perform, to remind us of the greatness that comes from faith, family, and freedom.

Critics tried to spin the celebration as “culture wars,” but this was more than symbolism. This was a return to security-first, taxpayer-respecting events—no activist agendas, no bureaucratic overreach, just Americans celebrating their heritage. When tradition meets showmanship, it reminds hardworking taxpayers that culture should unite, not divide.

For too long, federal events have drifted toward virtue-signaling and elitism. Trump’s Kennedy Center soirée sent a clear message: culture should reflect everyday American values, not political ideologies. In an era where government spends billions, this is a reminder that budgets should support things Americans actually cherish.

The American people respond when their traditions are honored, not erased. Expect critics to cluck—but this night felt like real cultural restoration, not another lecture from elites detached from everyday priorities.