The board of trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, largely composed of members selected by former President Donald Trump, has voted to change the institution's name to the Trump-Kennedy Center. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the unanimous decision on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
A Controversial Decision and Immediate Backlash
Leavitt stated the renaming recognizes the work Trump has done over the last year in saving the building, citing financial, reputational, and reconstruction efforts. She congratulated both Trump and the late President John F. Kennedy, suggesting the new name represents a "truly great team." Trump expressed honour at the decision, confirming the vote was brought forward by a board member and passed unanimously.
However, the announcement was immediately met with skepticism and promises of a legal fight. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) declared the move impossible "in the absence of legislative action." This aligns with an NBC News report indicating that federal law prohibits such a name change without approval from Congress, setting the stage for a potential courtroom battle.
Disputed Claims and Political Division
Further controversy emerged when Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio disputed the claim of a unanimous vote. Beatty stated on social media that she was muted on the call and prevented from speaking or voicing her opposition to the renaming.
Officially, the center's vice president of public relations, Roma Daravi, supported the decision. In a statement, Daravi said the vote acknowledges Trump's role in rescuing the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction, framing the new name as a symbol of bipartisan support for America's cultural future.
Background of Transformation and Turmoil
The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, was designed as a nonpartisan hub for the performing arts. According to reports from The Washington Post, Trump's involvement over the past year has significantly altered its character.
His actions have included ousting and replacing board members with his supporters, assuming the role of board chair, and publicly criticizing programming he labels as "woke." Trump stated in February 2025 that under his leadership, the center would ensure its offerings were "good" and not "woke." This overhaul has reportedly led to smaller audiences, financial losses, numerous resignations, and show cancellations.
Trump has also focused on renovations at the center, mirroring other projects like the White House ballroom. He recently hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, an event he skipped during his first term, and claimed personal involvement in selecting the 2025 honorees while rejecting nominees he deemed "wokesters."
