Trump jokes Hollywood stars were too ‘flabby’ for ‘Rocky’ as he praises Sylvester Stallone

WASHINGTON, DC: The Kennedy Center dinner on Saturday turned into a lively storytelling moment as Donald Trump shifted from formalities to humor.

The president recounted why Sylvester Stallone became the face of ‘Rocky,’ focusing on his physique. What began as a tribute quickly turned into one of Trump’s classic riffs.

Donald Trump recalls why Sylvester Stallone was the only one fit to play ‘Rocky’

President Donald Trump brought unexpected humor to the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors dinner when he discussed the casting history of Sylvester Stallone’s iconic 1976 film ‘Rocky.’ According to Trump, studios initially considered other big Hollywood names, but their physiques were the dealbreaker.

Trump told attendees that while several studios were circling the project, they didn’t want Stallone in the lead at first. “But the stars didn’t have good bodies. They were flabby,” he joked. “They were not really boxers.”

He continued, describing how one unnamed A-lister nearly snagged the role of Rocky Balboa until the studio head noticed a physical detail that couldn’t be ignored. As Trump said, “He can’t play the role, he had a lot of flab around the upper-chest area. It’s supposed to be solid like a rock.”

The president said the moment ultimately paved the way for Stallone, who famously refused to sell his script unless he could star in it. “Finally they looked at Sly and said, ‘Oh, you’re in good shape. You think you could play the role?’” Trump said, drawing laughs from the crowd.

Sylvester Stallone’s grit and legacy praised at the Kennedy Center dinner by Donald Trump

Trump didn’t just spotlight Stallone’s underdog journey; he also praised the actor’s long-standing cultural influence. He highlighted Stallone’s ‘Rambo’ series, calling it one of Hollywood’s most recognizable franchises.

Stallone has previously expressed admiration for Trump, even calling him the “Second George Washington” after the 2024 presidential election. Their friendly rapport added warmth to the evening.

President honors 2025 Kennedy Center awardees

Stallone was among several honorees recognized during the weekend. The group also included KISS, country legend George Strait, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, and stage veteran Michael Crawford. Trump praised them as “incredible people” representing the best of American culture.

The president presented each honoree with newly designed Tiffany & Co medals, sleek gold discs etched with the Kennedy Center’s image, replacing the original rainbow ribbons worn since 1978.

Donald Trump squeezes in a jab at Jimmy Kimmel

True to form, Trump also worked in a swipe at Jimmy Kimmel, calling the ABC host “horrible” and joking that if he ever hosted worse than Kimmel did at the Oscars, he wouldn’t deserve to be president.

The remark drew a mix of laughs and knowing looks, marking yet another moment in Trump’s long-running tension with the late-night host.