Tom Cruise is no stranger to Hollywood honors, but this time he made headlines for turning one down. The Mission: Impossible star reportedly declined Donald Trump’s offer to receive a Kennedy Center Honor during the former president’s second term.
While officials cited “scheduling conflicts,” speculation continues to swirl about Cruise’s decision, especially given the political weight behind the event.
Why Tom Cruise Declined Trump’s Kennedy Center Honor
According to The Washington Post, several Kennedy Center employees revealed that Cruise, 63, was invited to be among the 2025 honorees but chose not to participate. Officially, his reason was due to “scheduling conflicts.”
The decision comes at a politically charged moment. President Trump, 79, has significantly reshaped the Kennedy Center’s honoree selections, saying he was “98 percent involved” in personally approving recipients. Trump emphasized that he removed what he called “wokesters” and ensured this year’s list aligned with his preferences.
The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors include George Strait, KISS, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, and Sylvester Stallone. The ceremony will be held on December 7 and later broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.
Cruise’s spokesperson declined to comment further, and PEOPLE magazine also noted no reply from his representatives.
What’s Next for Tom Cruise
Even though he said “no” to Trump’s Kennedy Center Honor, Cruise is far from being overlooked in Hollywood. He will receive an honorary Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences at the 2025 Governors Awards on November 16, recognizing his decades-long contribution to cinema.
Other honorees that night include Debbie Allen and production designer Wynn Thomas, while Dolly Parton is set to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Cruise continues to stay at the forefront of the industry. This summer, he starred in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and wrapped filming on an untitled project with Alejandro G. Iñárritu, set for release in October 2026. With Paramount’s merger with Skydance, a third Top Gun movie is also reportedly in early planning.
From blockbuster success to upcoming accolades, Cruise’s refusal of Trump’s Kennedy Center Honor seems less like a loss — and more like a calculated choice in a career that shows no signs of slowing down.