The Kennedy Center board votes unanimously to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center in recognition of President Trump’s contributions.
As of December 18, 2025, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has been renamed the **Trump-Kennedy Center** following a board vote, sparking intense debate and trending heavily on social media under hashtags like #TrumpKennedyCenter and #KennedyCenter. The White House announced the change, citing President Trump’s contributions to the institution, while critics, including members of the Kennedy family, have decried it as inappropriate and potentially illegal.
The Announcement
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on December 18 that the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees had “voted unanimously” to rename the venue the Trump-Kennedy Center, formally “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” The decision honors Trump’s role as board chairman in addressing the center’s financial and structural challenges over the past year. Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi confirmed the vote, stating it “recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction.”
President Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, expressed surprise and honor at the decision, noting, “We saved the building. That building was in such bad shape, both physically and financially and every other way.” The center’s website was promptly updated to reflect the new name.
Background and Context
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was established by Congress in 1964 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination, with its name codified in federal law. Earlier in 2025, President Trump overhauled the board, appointing allies and installing himself as chairman after removing previous members. This followed efforts to revitalize the institution, including securing funding for renovations and reshaping programming.
The renaming adds Trump’s name alongside Kennedy’s, a move supporters frame as recognition of bipartisan contributions to American culture. However, legal experts and Democrats argue that altering the name of a federally designated memorial requires congressional approval, potentially rendering the board’s action invalid without further legislation.
Reactions and Implications
The announcement elicited sharp backlash from the Kennedy family and Democratic figures. Kerry Kennedy stated that Trump “stands in opposition” to her father’s values of justice, peace, equality, and compassion. Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III called the change illegal, comparing it to renaming the Lincoln Memorial. Jack Schlossberg and Maria Shriver also criticized the move on social media.
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex-officio board member, disputed the unanimous claim, saying she was muted during the meeting and prevented from objecting. Online reactions have been polarized, with supporters praising the acknowledgment of Trump’s efforts and detractors viewing it as an overreach that politicizes a national cultural landmark. Hashtags reflecting both support and outrage have trended widely, highlighting divisions over legacy, authority, and cultural institutions.
Conclusion
The renaming of the Kennedy Center to include President Trump’s name marks a significant and contentious chapter in the institution’s history, raising questions about board powers, federal law, and the intersection of politics and the arts. Legal challenges or congressional action may determine the final outcome.
What are your thoughts on the Trump-Kennedy Center renaming— a deserved honor or an overstep? Share your views below.