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An unprecedented sight at the Kennedy Center last night
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President Trump took the stage himself to celebrate some of America's biggest performing artists
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This year's honorees, hand-picked with the president's input, include Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, and country legend George Strait
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Presidents usually attend the Kennedy Center honors, but Trump is the first to host the ceremony
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It's also a sharp reversal from his first term when he skipped the honors entirely
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after several artists objected to his presence. Since returning to office in January, Trump has installed himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center
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removed its longtime president, and ousted Democrats from the Center's board, giving him the unusual control over one of Washington's most cherished cultural institutions
