President Trump’s handpicked board unanimously voted to rename the Kennedy Center after himself despite furious Democrat opposition and legal questions about congressional authority over the landmark performing arts venue.
Story Highlights
- Trump’s board unanimously voted to rename the Kennedy Center as “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts”
- Democrats claim the vote is illegal since Congress originally named the center in 1964 and must approve any changes
- Trump secured over $250 million in renovations and replaced liberal board members with conservative supporters
- Kennedy family members denounced the move while Republicans praised Trump’s revitalization efforts
Trump Board Pushes Through Historic Name Change
The Kennedy Center board voted unanimously on December 18, 2025, to rename Washington’s premier performing arts venue as “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the decision on social media, crediting Trump’s “unbelievable work” since returning to office. The board immediately updated the center’s website branding to reflect the new name, moving ahead despite Democrat claims about overstepping legal authority.
Trump’s handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center https://t.co/FrXANgYBRg
— The Lowell Sun (@LowellSun) December 18, 2025
Democrats Cry Foul Over Congressional Authority
House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrat board members declared the vote illegal, insisting only Congress can rename facilities it originally designated.
Former Senate historian Donald Ritchie confirmed Congress named the center after President Kennedy in 1964 following his assassination and would need to “amend the law” for any official change.
Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat board member, claimed she was muted during the remote meeting when attempting to voice concerns about the legality of the proceedings.
Trump’s Cultural Revolution at Kennedy Center
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has systematically transformed the Kennedy Center as part of his broader campaign against what he calls “woke” anti-American culture.
He replaced board members appointed by Democrat presidents with ardent supporters who then elected him chairman.
Trump secured over $250 million from the Republican-controlled Congress for renovations, including fresh paint, new theater seats, and other upgrades to modernize the facility that he criticized for its liberal programming and deteriorating appearance.
Mixed Results Following Trump’s Takeover
Trump’s transformation of the Kennedy Center has produced both victories and challenges for the institution. The president attended the opening night of “Les Misérables” and hosted the Kennedy Center Honors program after skipping it during his first term.
However, subscription sales have reportedly declined, several touring productions including “Hamilton” canceled planned runs, and performers like Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens scrapped appearances.
Concert Hall performances by the National Symphony Orchestra have shown rows of empty seats, while consultants including musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming have resigned in protest.
