Cheap Trick talks about the fallback of the Trump Kennedy Center Honors performance

Rock group Cheap Trick released a statement defending their performance at the Kennedy Center Honors hosted by President Donald Trump earlier this month.

In the event of Dec. 7, Cheap Trick performed “Rock And Roll All Nite” in tribute to the band KISS, whose members were among the night’s honorees.

After receiving criticism from fans for performing at a Trump-sponsored event, the band took to Instagram on Wednesday to clarify that the decision had nothing to do with politics.

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“We were asked to perform at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors to honor our lifelong brothers in KISS, and to support artists and the arts,” the group wrote. “We agreed to do those reasons, not others.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment.

Other honorees include country legend George Strait, Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone, Broadway icon Michael Crawford and Grammy Award-winning singer Gloria Gaynor.

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Trump began leading the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after being elected board chairman in February. Since taking office, Trump has wanted to change the Kennedy Center following allegations that it was promoting a vigilante agenda.

The band Cheap Trick has defended its decision to perform at the Kennedy Center. (Steve Marcus/Reuters)

During the event, Trump appeared to confirm that he played a major role in selecting the honorees alongside the Special Advisory Committee on Honors.

“I was 98% … they were all coming for me,” Trump told reporters.

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“I strongly refused, they were already awake,” he continued. “I had a few wokesters. No, we have great people. This is a lot different than before.”

Trump is also the first president to personally receive the Kennedy Center Honors.

President Donald Trump, joined by first lady Melania Trump, walks the red carpet before the 48th Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, 2025, Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

The 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors took place on Dec. 7 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and will air December 23 on the CBS Television Network and Paramount+.

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White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt announced Thursday that the Kennedy Center’s board voted unanimously to rename the center the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”

Fox News’ Ashley Hume contributed to this report.