Trump to visit Kennedy Center, as first group of honorees announced under his chairmanship

President Trump will make an announcement at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday, the same day that this year's honorees will be announced.

"GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS," Trump, who is now chairman of the Washington, D.C., arts and entertainment venue, posted on Truth Social on Tuesday. 

"They will be announced Wednesday. Tremendous work is being done, and money being spent, on bringing it back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment. It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!! President DJT."

The Kennedy Center, a public-private partnership, posted on X on Tuesday, confirming Trump's visit.

"The Kennedy Center is honored to host a visit from our Chairman, President Donald J. Trump, tomorrow," the center said. "Thanks to his advocacy, our beautiful building will undergo renovations to restore its prestige and grandeur. We are also excited to be announcing this year's INCREDIBLE slate of Kennedy Center Honorees."

The center also posted on X on Tuesday, “Coming Soon ... A country music icon, an Englishman, a New York City Rock band, a dance Queen and a multi-billion dollar Actor walk into the Kennedy Center Opera House ...”

In addition to Trump naming himself earlier this year as chairman of the center, he previously fired the members of the board and appointed former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell to overhaul the center's programming. Several lawmakers have also introduced legislation to name the center's opera house after first lady Melania Trump and the center overall after the 47th president.

The Kennedy Center Honors began in 1978 and have been given to a broad range of artists.

How the honorees were chosen this year is unclear, but Trump has indicated he wanted a more active role, The Associated Press reported. Traditionally, the selection of recipients has been made by a bipartisan advisory committee. Previous honorees have included Tom Hanks and Aretha Franklin.

Trump had previously suggested that singer-songwriter Paul Anka and Sylvester Stallone, one of three actors the president named as Hollywood ambassadors earlier this year, should be honorees. Anka was supposed to perform “My Way” at Trump’s first inaugural, but backed out at the last minute.