Donald Trump opened his hosting gig in much the same way as previous emcees: Running down the list of honorees with words of praise, and sprinkling in a few quips at the audience, made up largely of cabinet members and supporters.

“They say this is the first time that a president of the of the United States has ever hosted the Kennedy Center Honors ,” Trump said on stage “… I don’t know why. I am going to try and act like Johnny Carson. I miss Johnny.”

Trump went through the list of honorees and called out figures like House Speaker Mike Johnson and Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, but it was not clear how much of Trump’s 12-minute opening remarks will make it into the final broadcast on CBS later this month.

He did offer a few quips — ala Don Rickles.

“If there its one thread

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