Trump Adds His Name to Kennedy Center

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts recently unveiled new signage designating it as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” This change was revealed in Washington on Friday, December 19, 2025. The new name incorporates President Trump’s name due to his efforts in maintaining the building over the past year.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the update on social media, noting the board’s unanimous vote for this change. The center’s website has already been updated to reflect this modification, and new signage has been installed.

Despite this claim, Ohio Democrat Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member, contested the unanimity of the vote. In a social media video, she stated, “Each time I tried to speak, I was muted. Participants were not allowed to voice their concern.” In response, Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, reaffirmed the vote’s unanimity, emphasizing bipartisan support for the center.

Other Democrats, including Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, voiced opposition. They argued the president lacks legal authority to rename the center without Congressional approval. The institution was established by federal law as a memorial to President Kennedy.

Earlier in the year, Trump became the chairman of the center, replacing former president Deborah Rutter and ousting board chair David Rubenstein, along with appointees from President Biden. Trump appointed new board members, including Usha Vance, Susie Wiles, and Laura Ingraham.

Trump had previously hinted at a potential name change when he was the first president to host the Kennedy Center Honors. He expressed a commitment to “saving the Kennedy Center” and included significant funding for its repairs in his “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The Kennedy Center was initially called The National Cultural Center, and in 1964, it was renamed in honor of President Kennedy following his assassination.