The board selected by U.S. President Donald Trump voted on Thursday to rename Washington’s primary performing arts center as the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to the White House. This decision sparked backlash from Democrats who argued that the board had exceeded its legal authority. The institution was originally named after President John F. Kennedy by Congress in 1964 following his assassination. Donald A. Ritchie, a former Senate historian, explained that since Congress initially named the center, any official renaming would require congressional action to amend the law.
Despite ongoing debates, the board swiftly updated its website to reflect the new Trump-Kennedy Center branding. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the necessity for legislative action to address the renaming. The board unanimously voted to rename the institution the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, as confirmed by Roma Daravi, the institution’s vice president of public relations.
Daravi highlighted that the renaming aimed to acknowledge Trump’s alleged role in rescuing the center from financial challenges and physical deterioration, although these claims were disputed by the previous leadership. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the news on social media, attributing the decision to Trump’s significant contributions to the center since his return to office earlier this year.
The renaming drew criticism from some members of the Kennedy family. Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, expressed disbelief and disapproval at Trump’s attempt to associate his name with her uncle’s memorial. In a social media post, she denounced the move as unacceptable and speculated about potential future renaming attempts by Trump.
Prior to this development, Trump had already been informally referring to the center as the “Trump Kennedy Center.” The decision to officially rename the center raised concerns among Kennedy family members and cultural figures, leading to withdrawals of scheduled appearances and resignations of key personnel associated with the Kennedy Center.
Trump’s involvement in the Kennedy Center, his renovations to the Rose Garden, and his interactions with the institution have been met with mixed reactions. Despite securing substantial funding for renovations and attending key events, his tenure as board chairman has been marked by controversy and declining support within the arts community.