In a move that has set Washington abuzz, President Donald Trump’s handpicked board voted Thursday to rename the nation’s premier performing-arts venue the Trump Kennedy Center. The decision, announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on social media, has provoked a sharp backlash from Democrats who argue the board overstepped its legal authority.
The Renaming Vote
The board, which Trump chairs, approved the new name-“The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts”-in a unanimous vote. Roma Daravi, the center’s spokesperson, confirmed that the change was made immediately, with the branding on the website updated to reflect the new title.
Trump, who returned to the White House in January, has long been a vocal critic of what he calls “woke” anti-American culture. He has used the Kennedy Center as a touchstone in his broader cultural agenda. The board’s decision comes after Trump has already been referring to the venue as the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
Legal Arguments
Donald A. Ritchie, former Senate historian (2009-2015), weighed in on the legality of the move. He explained that Congress first named the center after President John F. Kennedy in 1964 following the president’s assassination. “Because Congress had first named the center it would be up to Congress to ‘amend the law,'” Ritchie said.
Ritchie added that while Trump and others can “informally” refer to the center by a different name, they “couldn’t do it in a way that would (legally) stick.”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who serves on the board ex officio due to his congressional role, told reporters that a name change requires legislative action. “Only Congress can rename the Kennedy Center,” Jeffries said.
Trump’s Role and the Board’s Composition
Trump’s influence over the board has grown since his return to office. He replaced Democratic-appointed members with supporters who then elected him chairman. The board’s unanimous vote to rename the center reflects his leadership style and his desire to imprint his legacy on Washington’s cultural institutions.
In a statement at the White House, Trump said, “The board is a very distinguished board, most distinguished people in the country, and I was surprised by it and I was honored by it.” He noted that the board’s “unbelievable work” has been done on the center since he returned to office.
The president has secured more than $250 million from the Republican-controlled Congress for renovations of the building, including fresh paint, new seats in the theaters, and other upgrades. Trump also attended the opening night of the musical Les Misérables and last week served as host of the Kennedy Center Honors program, which is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ on Dec. 23.
Kennedy Family Response
The renaming has not been welcomed by members of the Kennedy family. Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, posted on social media that it is “beyond comprehension” that Trump has sought to add his name to the memorial to her uncle and “beyond wild” that he would think doing so is acceptable. She said, “It is not.”
Shriver speculated that Trump might next seek to rename John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York or any other memorials to presidents in Washington. Earlier this year, Trump renovated the Kennedy-era Rose Garden at the White House, replacing the lawn with paving stones.
Tim Shriver, Maria’s brother, called the renaming an “insult to a great president” in a post on X. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is cousins with the Shrivers, serves in Trump’s Cabinet as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Congressional Reaction
The vote has split the congressional caucuses. Republicans have largely approved of the move. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who is close to Trump, called it a “well-deserved honor” for the president, citing his “heart and soul” poured into refurbishing and revitalizing the institution.
Democrats, however, have denounced the vote. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, another ex officio board member, said she participated in the meeting remotely and was muted when she tried to voice concerns. “This is just another attempt to evade the law and not let the people have a say,” she said.
Daravi responded that the entire board was invited to attend in person and that the privilege of listening in on the meeting was granted to all members, even those without a vote, such as Beatty.
Beatty is among a group of non-voting Democratic lawmakers who have said the vote was illegal. A bill introduced in Congress in July by Rep. Bob Order, R-Mo., would, if passed and signed into law, designate the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts. The House transportation committee has yet to take up the bill.
Impact on the Center’s Operations
Since Trump’s takeover of the center, sales of subscription packages have declined. Several touring productions, including Hamilton, have canceled planned runs there. Rows of empty seats have been seen in the Concert Hall during performances by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Some performers, including actor Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens, have scrapped scheduled appearances. Kennedy Center consultants, such as musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming, have resigned.
Key Takeaways
- The board voted to rename the Kennedy Center, a move critics say requires congressional action.
- Trump’s influence over the board has grown, and he has secured significant funding for renovations.
- Kennedy family members and Democratic lawmakers have condemned the renaming as unlawful and disrespectful.
- The change has coincided with a decline in subscriptions and cancellations of major productions.
The renaming of Washington’s leading performing-arts center has ignited a legal and political debate that underscores the deep partisan divides over cultural heritage and the limits of presidential influence.
