The White House announced that the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, now chaired by President Donald Trump and recently filled with his appointees, voted “unanimously” to rename the venue the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” reports Baltimore Chronicle with a link to Reuters.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board, described as composed of highly accomplished individuals from around the world, approved the change in recognition of Trump’s efforts over the past year to restore the center, both structurally and financially, and enhance its reputation. Following the announcement, workers affixed the text “The Donald J. Trump and” to the facade above the existing sign reading “The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The renaming has raised legal questions because federal law (Title 20, U.S. Code, Section 76i) officially designates the building as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Georgetown Law professor David Super told ABC News that while some portions of the building could potentially be renamed, the statute does not authorize changing the building’s formal name.
Trump became chairman of the Kennedy Center in February after dismissing multiple members of its Board of Trustees. Several administration officials, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Second Lady Usha Vance, Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, and U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, were appointed to the board following these changes.
When asked about the vote in the Oval Office, Trump said he was “honored” and “surprised” by the board’s decision. Despite claims of a unanimous vote, Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, serving ex-officio on the board, said she was muted during the vote and could not voice opposition. Beatty, along with Representative Chellie Pingree, is exploring congressional measures to challenge the name change, arguing it violates federal law and undermines the legacy of JFK.
Trump has previously referred to the venue as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” prior to the official announcement. On August 22, he noted the center might soon adopt that title for events such as the FIFA World Cup draw in December 2025. Trump emphasized that his administration “saved” the historic center, claiming improvements in its physical condition, finances, and overall stability. However, reporting by The Washington Post in October indicated that ticket sales have declined since Trump assumed leadership, and several notable artists and productions, including Issa Rae and the Broadway show “Hamilton,” canceled scheduled appearances.
Earlier we wrote that Trump Grants Most Federal Employees Two Extra Days Off for Christmas Holidays.
