I want to start with this, because this really struck me today. I mean, every year the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., hosts a big ceremony to recognize all different kinds of performers who have made big contributions to the performing arts in their careers.

Usually, they're people who are kind of in the later stages of their careers, and they're being honored by Republican presidents, Democratic presidents, lots of people in the audience.

It's called the Kennedy Center honors.

It's a bit over the top, not going to lie.

But it's a star-studded night of glitz and fanfare hosted by a celebrity MC, which later

airs in a big special on network television, all to celebrate again, these honorees who

are selected by a bipartisan advisory committee.

At least that's how it used to work, how it worked for years, decades, through many presidents.

But now it's different because earlier this year Trump fired the head of the Kennedy Center and named himself its new chair.

And now it sounds like he's made some changes to the process of deciding who the honorees will even be.

Since 1978, the Kennedy Center honors

have been among the most prestigious awards

in the performing arts.

I wanted one.

I was never able to get one.

This year, it's true, actually. I would have taken it.

If they would have called me, I waited and waited and waited. And I said, hell with it, I'll

become chairman. And I'll give myself an honor. Maybe I'm going to honor. Next year we'll honor

Trump, okay? How involved were you in the selection process of these honorees?

I would say I was about 98% involved.

No, they all went through me.

I turned down plenty.

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