Trump admits hosting Kennedy Center Honors required little preparation

President Donald Trump welcomed actors, country music stars and entertainment industry giants to kick off the campaign 48th Kennedy Center Honors Sunday.

While walking the red carpet with First Lady Melania Trump, the president admitted that he wanted to remain “a little bit liberal” with his hosting responsibilities.

“Maybe I didn’t prepare,” Trump joked when asked how he organized his speech at the party. “Maybe you want to be a little loose.”

Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, and Kelsey Grammer were just a few of the Hollywood stars who walked the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, DC

Kelsey Grammer calls Trump “one of the greatest presidents we’ve ever had” at a tribute at the Kennedy Center

President Donald Trump walks the red carpet with his wife Melania Trump at the Kennedy Center Honors. (Brendan Smalowski)

“Do you know what you should be? You should be yourself,” Trump continued on the red carpet.

When Fox News Digital asked Trump how Stallone could thrive as an ambassador for Hollywood, the president was extremely impressed by the “Rocky” actor.

Andrea Bocelli gives an impromptu performance in the Oval Office for Trump during a visit to the White House.

“If Sly is himself, that’s all he can be,” Trump said. “If he tries to be someone else, that’s not going to be good.” “He’s a great guy. He’s done a great job and he really deserves this honor. You know, it’s something he’s wanted for years and this is bigger than ever.”

It was date night at the esteemed event as “Rambo” star Sylvester Stallone was accompanied by Jennifer Flavin, his wife of 28 years.

Watch: Sylvester Stallone talks about Kennedy Center honors

While speaking with Fox News Digital at the ceremony, Stallone said the honor was “completely unexpected.”

“This is the end,” Stallone said, before admitting that he had debated accepting the award. “This is completely unexpected. This is an award I didn’t even see coming. I really wasn’t expecting it.”

“This is an award I didn’t even expect. I really didn’t expect it.”

– Sylvester Stallone

“I think I’ve been rewarded a lot in my life. Look at the trophy I got here and at my girls,” he said as he stared at his wife. “I’m serious, I’m not kidding.”

Sylvester Stallone and wife Jennifer Flavin arrive for the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. (Alex Wroblewski)

American country music singer and Kennedy Center Award winner George Strait and his wife Norma Strait arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors Gala. (Alex Wroblewski)

He continued: “If there’s one thing in the film industry – it’s that they get a lot of awards. I look at the people living in the shadows – the firefighters, the doctors – and I say: Wow. This is amazing. You’re saving lives.” “We’re pretending to save lives.”

Country music icon George Strait He wore his signature black cowboy hat as he led his wife, Norma Strait, down the red carpet at the ceremony.

“I think I’ve been rewarded a lot in my life.”

– Sylvester Stallone

The award-winning musician, who has had 60 hit singles throughout his illustrious career, smiled as he posed with his family.

“The Last Rodeo” star Neal McDonough and his wife, Rove, smiled for the cameras before the show. Gloria Gaynor sparkled in a bright pink dress with a matching cape.

American country music singer and Kennedy Center Award winner George Strait (second from left) and his wife Norma Strait (third from left) arrive with family for the ceremony. (Alex Wroblewski)

Kennedy Center Laureate Gloria Gaynor arrives for the 48th annual Gala. (Alex Wroblewski)

“The Last Rodeo” star Neal McDonough and his wife Rove McDonough were all smiles on the red carpet. (Paul Morigi)

KISS lead singer Gene Simmons wore his signature dark sunglasses while walking the red carpet with his wife, Shannon Tweed.

The honorees were presented with medals Saturday during a ceremony inside the Oval Office, with the group considered “the most accomplished and distinguished class of Kennedy Center honorees ever.”

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Speaking to Fox News Digital before Saturday’s dinner, Grammer, who was accompanied by his daughter Faith, described Trump as “phenomenal.”

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer Rochette Hegseth looked sharp in matching black at the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala. (Alex Wroblewski)

Shannon Tweed and KISS star Gene Simmons attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors. (Paul Morigi)

Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors. (Paul Morigi)

Bret Baier and Amy Baier attend the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala. (Paul Morigi)

“I think he’s exceptional. He’s one of the greatest presidents we’ve ever had. Probably the greatest. There are some things he still wants to accomplish, and I think that’s great, but there was a big hill to climb,” Grammer said.

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“And it left us with some very interesting things,” he concluded.

The “Cheers” star also touched on Stallone being honored during this year’s ceremony and said he was “very happy” about it.

“I think he’s exceptional. He’s one of the greatest presidents we’ve ever had. Maybe the greatest.”

-Kelsey Grammer

“I was on the selection committee, so I knew about it,” he added. “He is a force of nature. Sylvester Stallone has captured our imaginations in so many different roles and performed them beautifully.”

Kelsey Grammer and her daughter Faith Grammer attended the 48th Kennedy Center Honors Medal Ceremony on Saturday. (Paul Morigi)

President Donald Trump named Sylvester Stallone a Kennedy Center Medalist. (Getty Images)

Grammer said it was time to honor Stallone.

During the ceremony, Trump named each of the honorees the Newly designed medallion – Gold disc with Kennedy Center image, donated and made by the jewelry company Tiffany & Co.

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Janelle Ash and Larry Fink of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.