By Staff Reporter
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, one of Washington D.C.’s most iconic landmarks, is set to undergo a controversial rebranding. According to the White House, the board has voted to rename the venue the Trump-Kennedy Center in recognition of President Donald Trump’s role in securing funding and overseeing renovations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the decision on social media, claiming the board voted unanimously to honor “the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building.” She added that the new name would symbolize “a truly great team long into the future,” praising both Trump and President John F. Kennedy.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he was “surprised” and “honored” by the move. “We saved it,” he remarked. “It was really in bad shape, physically.”
Board Shake-Up and Renovations
The renaming follows significant changes to the Kennedy Center’s leadership. Shortly after returning to office, Trump dismissed the existing board members and replaced them with allies. He was subsequently named chairman, while close adviser Richard Grenell became board president. Other appointees include Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Second Lady Usha Vance.
Under Trump’s leadership, the center secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding for renovations and hosted high-profile events, including the FIFA World Cup draw.
Disputed Vote
While Trump and Leavitt insisted the vote was unanimous, at least one board member has challenged that account. Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio, said she was muted during the meeting and prevented from voicing her opposition. “This was not unanimous,” she told reporters.
Legal Questions
The Kennedy Center was established as a living memorial to President Kennedy following his assassination in 1963, with its name codified in a 1964 law. Legal scholars and lawmakers have noted that Congress must approve any official name change. While the board may alter branding on tickets, websites, or signage, a formal renaming would require legislative action. A similar measure to rename the opera house after First Lady Melania Trump was introduced earlier this year but has not yet been voted on.
Political Fallout
The decision has already sparked criticism. Opponents accuse the administration of politicizing the arts, pointing to canceled performances by Lin-Manuel Miranda and other artists who withdrew from scheduled runs at the venue. Local media have also reported declining ticket sales and subscriptions since Trump assumed control.
Earlier this year, Trump boasted of being “98% involved” in selecting Kennedy Center honorees, which included actor Sylvester Stallone and members of the rock band KISS. He said he rejected “wokesters” from consideration. His appearance at the center in June drew a mixed reaction, with audience members both booing and cheering as he and First Lady Melania Trump entered the presidential box.
A Landmark in Flux
Work on the Kennedy Center began in the 1950s, and after Kennedy’s death, Congress designated it as a national memorial. For decades, it has stood as a symbol of American culture and the arts. The proposed renaming, however, underscores how deeply entwined the institution has become with current political battles.
Whether the Trump-Kennedy Center name will be legally recognized remains uncertain, but the controversy has already reshaped the public perception of one of the nation’s most prominent cultural venues.
