Legendary actor says Donald Trump showed true colours when cameras weren't watching

Legendary British actor Michael Crawford, best known for Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and originating the role of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, was recently recognised for his outstanding contributions to American arts at a ceremony in the Oval Office.

Crawford, whose career spans more than six decades on stage and screen, received the prestigious Kennedy Centre medal alongside other iconic figures, including rock band Kiss, country superstar George Strait, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, and Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone. Donald Trump described Crawford as “the great star of Broadway” and praised the 2025 award recipients as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class.”

Trump, an avid fan of Phantom of the Opera, claimed he attended Crawford’s Broadway debut in Black Comedy in 1967 and called him a “generational talent” and “international sensation.” The actor shared that Trump and his advisers were “good company” during the ceremony, even recalling a humorous moment when Trump playfully sprayed cologne on Stallone, prompting Stallone to exclaim, “I’m blind, I’m blind!”

Crawford also addressed Trump’s comment about having Phantom of the Opera “on tape from every different angle,” joking that while clips exist, a full recording does not, adding, “Maybe Trump’s got an illegal tape. I think we should follow up on that, and good luck with the legal action.”

This year’s recipients were personally selected by Trump following his decision to replace the Kennedy Centre board, part of a wider overhaul of the institution. The move has drawn criticism from the arts community, and reports suggest ticket sales have dropped since the changes were implemented.

Michael Crawford’s award highlights his enduring impact on both British and American theatre, celebrating a career that continues to inspire generations of performers and audiences alike.