US EditionKennedy Center to Be Renamed 'Trump-Kennedy Center' after Board Vote, White House Says
The board unanimously cited President Trump's role in saving the center financially and physically, though legal experts say Congress must approve any official name change.
- On December 18, 2025, the Kennedy Center Board voted to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center, Leavitt wrote, `Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump...` .
- The president’s earlier moves to change programming and personnel set the stage as Donald Trump, President, removed Kennedy Center leadership, installed a Trump‑handpicked Board of Trustees, and replaced the president with Richard Grenell, interim president.
- The vote occurred during a board meeting that Trump joined by phone, while Rep. Joyce Beatty said she tried to object but was muted, and several artists and consultants, including Issa Rae and Louise Penny, withdrew as `Hamilton` canceled performances.
- Legal experts note the Center was named by Congress and cannot be renamed without action; Rep. Joyce Beatty said, `the Congress has a say in this` and disputed the vote’s unanimity, raising legal questions.
- Earlier this year, the Kennedy Center informed some Pride organizers they could no longer host events, reflecting programming shifts amid broader institutional changes.
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538 Articles
Kennedy Center renaming highlights Trump's reshaping of D.C.
Since reentering the White House earlier this year, President Trump has made quick work of reshaping Washington in his image, in some cases literally. That is on display at the recently renamed Trump-Kennedy Center. The performing arts center has roots tracing back to the Eisenhower administration more than 60 years ago. Stephanie Sy takes a closer look at its history and evolution.
The Trump District of Columbia? It could happen.
The videos of the sign crews were all over the internet and TV recently. Men on ladders screwing in letters spelling out the name of Donald J. Trump to the façade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The Center’s board of trustees had voted (supposedly) unanimously to rename the landmark “The Trump-Kennedy Center.” I scratch your head trying to figure out what connection Donald Trump has to the arts. John F. …
A memorial to Kennedy? It’s Trump’s now, too
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s name was affixed to the front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Friday morning, transforming what was constructed as a living memorial to the slain 35th president into another Trump-branded property in the capital.
The president took control of the emblematic cultural institution last February and after a unanimous vote of the board now the enclosure bears its name
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