The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will be packed with various outstanding people ready to receive the prized recognition by President Donald Trump, but at least one person set to receive an award will not be in attendance.
According to the New York Post, legendary actor Tom Cruise has apparently turned down the president’s invitation to receive an award at the prestigious ceremony, citing “scheduling conflicts” as his reason for the snub.
The Washington Post was the first outlet to report the “Mission Impossible” star’s decision to decline the president’s invitation to be honored with the award on Dec. 7 at the Kennedy Center Opera House.
“Several anonymous sources” at the Kennedy Center Opera House confirmed Cruise’s decision to the outlet.
What’s happening?
No doubt, Cruise, 63, is a busy person, as he just released his latest installment, “Mission: Impossible, The Final Reckoning,” and it reportedly working on several other projects, which lends truth to his reasoning for not attending.
The gala will be attended by several high-profile performers and entertainers, including “Sylvester Stallone, rock band Kiss, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, British actor Michael Crawford and country music star George Strait.”
President Trump has admitted he has a personal fondness for all of the above entertainers.
Of course, many believe that Cruise turned down the invitation to maintain appearances among his fellow Hollywood elites.
Tom Cruise turns down a Kennedy Center Honor from Trump? Says he is too busy?
Hollywood ego over patriotism
– done with him. pic.twitter.com/z2Aj0xwCE5— My moms caregiver (@mymomcare) August 15, 2025
However, Cruise has mostly steered clear of politics, as the Post noted:
The “Top Gun” actor has strayed away from entering the political realm, choosing not to speak about either party and recently sidestepping a question about Trump.
During the press junket for his latest “Mission: Impossible” film, Cruise was grilled by a Korean reporter over the effect Trump’s tariffs had on the movie production.
“We’d rather answer questions about the movie. Thank you,” the actor responded.
Social media reacts
Users across social media weighed in with their own thoughts on why Cruise isn’t attending this year.
“How could you turn down that honor?” one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, “Hollywood is all the same – in love with themselves.”
Only time will tell if any of the other entertainers invited to the ceremony will give Trump the snub.
The post Tom Cruise bails on Trump’s invite to Kennedy Center Honors gala appeared first on Conservative Institute.
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Author: Ryan Ledendecker
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