The board of trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has taken a controversial step, voting to rename Washington's premier arts venue to include President Donald Trump's name alongside that of the late President John F. Kennedy.
A Unanimous Vote Under Scrutiny
According to a statement released on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the board voted unanimously to rename the institution The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Kennedy Center spokeswoman Roma Daravi justified the decision by stating that President Trump "saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction."
However, that claim of unanimity was immediately challenged. Board member Joyce Beatty, a Democratic congresswoman from Ohio who retains her seat due to a congressional mandate, publicly disputed the account. "For the record. This was not unanimous," Beatty stated on the social media platform X. She alleged she was muted on the call and not permitted to speak or voice her opposition to the move, which she said was not listed on the meeting's agenda.
Legal Authority and a Pattern of Renaming
The board's legal right to execute such a name change is now a central point of contention. The current board was handpicked by President Trump earlier in 2025, marking a significant shift from the center's tradition of bipartisan governance. Shortly after retaking office, Trump overhauled the board, ousted former chairman David Rubenstein, and appointed himself as the new chair.
Congresswoman Beatty asserted that "Clearly the Congress has a say in this," suggesting the move may attempt to circumvent legal processes. This renaming effort is part of a broader initiative by Trump and his allies to leave a mark on the nation's capital, which has also included renaming the U.S. Institute of Peace after the president and plans to demolish the White House's East Wing to construct a large ballroom.
Trump's Previous Hints and Recent Involvement
While President Trump told reporters he was "surprised" and "honoured" by the board's decision, he had hinted at the possibility on multiple prior occasions. Earlier in December, at the opening of the peace institute renamed in his honour, Trump made a telling slip, saying, "You have a big event at the Trump-Kennedy Center, whoops, excuse me, at the Kennedy Center." These remarks, which seemed lighthearted at the time, now appear to have been indicative of the plan.
Trump's personal involvement with the center has been direct. Earlier this month, he hosted the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, presenting awards to notable figures including actor Sylvester Stallone, the band KISS, and singer Gloria Gaynor. He has also reportedly urged FIFA to relocate a World Cup draw ceremony to the venue.
The future of the proposed name now hinges on the unresolved question of the board's legal authority, setting the stage for a potential political and legal dispute over one of America's most iconic cultural institutions.
