The Kennedy Center board votes to add ‘Trump’ to its name, drawing backlash
· The Straits TimesWASHINGTON – The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which US President Donald Trump filled with allies during a broad takeover earlier in 2025, decided on Dec 18 to add Mr Trump’s name to the institution, horrifying Democrats and raising questions about the legality of the change.
Mr Trump, a Republican who is serving his second term as president, has been eager to put his stamp on Washington and his name on buildings.
The administration recently added his name to the United States Institute of Peace building near the White House.
Democrats who serve on the Kennedy Center board said it could not change the name without congressional approval.
After taking little interest in it during his first term in office, Mr Trump launched a revamp of the Kennedy Center shortly after returning to power.
He ousted its chair and installed a new board that made Mr Trump chair instead
.
He also fired the centre’s long-time president, tapping Mr Richard Grenell, a former ambassador to Germany, to run it in her place.
The addition of Mr Trump’s name is the latest and perhaps most visible change he and his allies have made to an institution that for decades has been seen as a living memorial to Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
“The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to name the institution The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” center spokeswoman Roma Daravi said in a statement.
“The new Trump Kennedy Center reflects the unequivocal bipartisan support for America’s cultural centre for generations to come.”
The Center did not respond to a question about whether congressional approval was required or would be sought for the new name.
Democrats object
US Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex officio board member, said she had not been allowed to weigh in on the change during the meeting.
“For the record. This was not unanimous. I was muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition to this move,” she wrote on X.
Ms Beatty and other ex officio members including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House of Representatives Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said participants were prevented from speaking at the meeting.
Ex officio board members receive their positions because of their government roles and through an act of Congress.
“Beyond using the Kennedy Center to reward his friends and political allies, President Trump is now attempting to affix his name to yet another public institution without legal authority,” they said in a statement.
“Federal law established the Center as a memorial to President Kennedy and prohibits changing its name without Congressional action.”
Ms Daravi said the full board was invited to attend in person and “the privilege of listening in on the meeting was granted to all members, even those without a vote, such as ex-officio member Joyce Beatty.”
Earlier in December, Mr Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors – the institution’s flagship awards show for the arts – and referred to it as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” at one point from the stage.
Yet on Dec 18, he told reporters he was surprised and honoured by the board’s decision, while adding that his administration is “saving” the centre’s building through fundraising and renovation efforts.
“We saved the building,” Mr Trump said. “The building was in such bad shape, both physically, financially and every other way.”
Mr Trump has complained that the centre had become run-down and has worked to raise funds, including at a performance of “Les Miserables” this summer, to make renovations.
“Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to president Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future!” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on X.
Mr Kennedy grandnephew, former US Representative Joe Kennedy, said the board did not have the right to change the Center’s name.
“The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law. It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says,” he wrote on X. REUTERS