'Smallest audience ever': Kennedy Center Honors tank on CBS after Trump takes over
Source: raw story
David Edwards December 24, 2025 4:16PM ET
"The Kennedy Center Honors" reportedly drew its lowest ratings ever after President Donald Trump announced he would host the event.
"According to preliminary Nielsen data, 'The Kennedy Center Honors' on CBS drew its smallest audience ever on the night of December 23, 2025, averaging an estimated 2.65 million viewers," Programming Insider reported on Wednesday. "To put that in perspective: the 2024 broadcast averaged 4.1 million."
On Tuesday, the president insisted that the event had been renamed "The Trump Kennedy Center Honors" and that he would host the program.
"At the request of the Board, and just about everybody else in America, I am hosting the event. Tell me what you think of my 'Master of Ceremony' abilities," he wrote on Truth Social.....................
Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-kennedy-center-ratings/
Makes my day!!
www.rawstory.com/trump-kenned...
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@mrsbettybowers.bsky.social) 2025-12-24T21:28:21.377Z
cstanleytech
(28,191 posts)truthisfreedom
(23,512 posts)They deserve each other. This is their moment to fail together.
truthisfreedom
(23,512 posts)Stephen Colbert's The Late Show consistently ranks as a top late-night program, often leading in total viewers; recent Nielsen data from late 2025 shows audiences around 2.7 to 2.8 million viewers (Live+7), though ratings fluctuate monthly, with him sometimes second to Jimmy Kimmel Live! or Gutfeld! in specific metrics or months, but generally holding strong as the #1 late-night show overall for total viewership.
Red Mountain
(2,255 posts)was that it (Colbert) wasn't profitable.
That make sense? I guess salaries might be higher than other shows but......
70sEraVet
(5,212 posts)doesn't include all the people who catch the show the next day, like I do.
Rhiannon12866
(249,515 posts)And depending on the guest, there are times it's the entire show.
IronLionZion
(50,752 posts)Rhiannon12866
(249,515 posts)Since I know that not everyone stays up as late as I do, and some don't even have TV. Plus, especially these days, we could sure use the humor...
BTW, I also keep track and the show is in repeats for the next two weeks.
70sEraVet
(5,212 posts)You provide a very appreciated service!
Rhiannon12866
(249,515 posts)I recently heard a conversation between Rachel Maddow and Nicolle Wallace about getting Colbert's show no longer cancelled. I know it's a long shot, especially now what's happening on CBS, but I have hopes! I like all the late night guys and know they're all friends (including John Oliver), but Colbert really is the best. I remember once when there was breaking news (think the felon-in-chief was visiting Kim Jong Un) during Colbert's monologue taping, so he dispensed with the written script and ad libbed the rest...
onenote
(45,970 posts)Because advertisers don't care about folks who record and watch later if they're skipping the ads.
walkingman
(10,267 posts)kimbutgar
(26,721 posts)I deleted immediately on my prime time DVR.
flashman13
(1,975 posts)Rebl2
(17,343 posts)Know it was on last night. I thought it was normally on after Christmas. I wouldnt have watched it anyway.
Katinfl
(608 posts)sarchasm
(1,291 posts)hands
ratings
public opinion/approval
golf skill
popular vote victory margin
electoral vote total
historical presidential ranking
time for ear to heal after being shot by a AR15 style rifle
political experience
circle of trust
Borogove
(476 posts)twodogsbarking
(17,513 posts)Mawspam2
(1,080 posts)So looking forward to the final scene of Network playing out.
https://m.
twodogsbarking
(17,513 posts)Air frehener would be a good idea.
TommieMommy
(2,636 posts)moonshinegnomie
(3,828 posts)it would be a shame if that were to be posted on his account sor the white house accounts. (i posted it on hi xitter account as well as remnding him cobert gets higher ratings than he did.....
paleotn
(21,443 posts)Go to sleep forever, Donnie.
Upthevibe
(9,999 posts)sakabatou
(45,736 posts)electric_blue68
(25,672 posts)👍😄👍😄👍😄👍
LetMyPeopleVote
(174,482 posts)
TheFarseer
(9,753 posts)Its the highest ratings ever. Everyone said I was the best host ever.
Scarlet Begalas
(72 posts)It was, without a doubt, the highest rated Kennedy Center Honors program of 2025!!!!!!
dedl67
(157 posts)Cha
(316,481 posts)Watching the Lying Pile of Shit.. Fuck CBS.
twodogsbarking
(17,513 posts)wcmagumba
(5,553 posts)wolfie001
(6,991 posts)Midnight Writer
(25,126 posts)Deminpenn
(17,284 posts)Her CBS News decisions are now bleeding over into regular programming.
Martin68
(26,964 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(31,380 posts)Grins
(9,225 posts)Should the Kennedy Center BEG Colbert to host next year! He was hit last time!
Just for the meltdown. Be wild!!!
fujiyamasan
(1,146 posts)Now, the entertainers are mostly third rate hacks.
Not sure why anyone would waste their time with it. And viewership is more fragmented than ever before. Non supporters are going to automatically tune this out.
oasis
(53,321 posts)Paladin
(32,229 posts)TexasBushwhacker
(21,089 posts)Kid Berwyn
(22,750 posts)Is why.