President Trump Renames Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will undergo a name change, now to be known as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” This decision was shared by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on social media. Leavitt mentioned that the board voted unanimously for this change due to the significant work President Trump contributed in the past year to preserve the building.

New signage reading “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts” has already been installed on the building. The center’s website reflects the name change as of Friday, December 19, 2025.

However, some dispute the unanimity of the vote. Rep. Joyce Beatty from Ohio, who serves as an ex-officio board member, contradicted the claim. In a video on social media, she stated, “Each time I tried to speak, I was muted. Participants were not allowed to voice their concern.”

Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations at the Kennedy Center, reaffirmed the board’s unanimous support, describing it as unequivocal bipartisan backing for what is considered a permanent cultural hub in America.

Other Democrats such as Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries challenged the renaming move, stating, “President is renaming the institution without legal authority.” They pointed out that the original federal law requires Congressional approval to change the name of the center, which serves as a memorial to President Kennedy.

This year, President Trump appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center. He replaced previous leadership, including board members installed by President Biden, with new appointees like Usha Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

Earlier this month, Trump mentioned possible renaming during a question session prior to hosting the Kennedy Center Honors for the first time. He cited efforts to “save” the Kennedy Center, highlighting a $257 million allocation from his “One Big Beautiful Bill” for maintenance and repairs to the facility.

The center’s foundation dates back to 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson signed the authorization for its construction following President Kennedy’s assassination. Originally named the National Cultural Center, it was designated to honor Kennedy, aligning with its current legacy.