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Entertainment · November 2, 2026

Kennedy Center Sets 2026 Honorees: David Mamet, Paul Anka, Andy Garcia and More

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The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and President Donald Trump have announced the honorees for the 49th Kennedy Center Honors. The 2026 class includes singer Paul Anka, composer David Foster, actor and director Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet, and country music star Barbara Mandrell. The gala ceremony is scheduled for December 7 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., marking a departure from the traditional venue. The announcement follows a period of administrative and legal tension involving the institution's leadership and the executive branch.

Read the original coverage

Reported by multiple outlets

  • The 2026 Kennedy Center honorees are Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet, and Barbara Mandrell.
  • The 49th Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will take place on December 7.
  • The gala will be held at the Capital One Arena rather than the Kennedy Center itself.
  • The announcement was made on Monday, November 2, 2026.

Reported by only some outlets

  • Variety notes that the announcement is unusually late, as honorees are typically revealed between July and September.
  • The Hollywood Reporter mentions the Kennedy Center was shut down following board decisions and social media suggestions from President Trump regarding future renovations.
  • The Hollywood Reporter reports on a legal battle where President Trump criticized a court decision blocking his name from being added to the building's exterior.
  • Rolling Stone includes a quote from President Trump praising the honorees as 'amazing artists' who have shaped American culture.

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