On December 18, 2025, the board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted unanimously to rename the institution the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, often referred to as the Trump-Kennedy Center.
The White House announced the decision, citing President Trump’s leadership in revitalizing the venue since the start of his second term. Supporters highlighted the board’s unanimous approval, with a spokesperson noting that the change recognized Trump’s efforts to save the center from financial and physical decline. Since taking office in January 2025, Trump appointed a new board, became its chairman, and secured approximately $257 million in federal funding for major renovations and maintenance. The administration also cited record-breaking fundraising, including a $23 million haul for the Kennedy Center Honors, nearly doubling the previous year’s total. Proponents argue that these contributions—addressing the building’s poor physical condition and boosting financial stability—make the naming honor well deserved and reflect bipartisan support for the center’s future.
However, the move quickly faced strong opposition from Democrats, who argued the board lacks legal authority to alter the name without congressional approval, as federal law designates it a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Prominent Kennedy family members, including Joe Kennedy III, Maria Shriver, and Kerry Kennedy, condemned the renaming as inappropriate and potentially illegal, claiming Trump’s values contrast with JFK’s legacy of justice, arts promotion, and compassion. Critics, including some board members who disputed the vote’s unanimity, view the change as an overreach, with new signage added to the building despite ongoing questions about its permanence.
Overall, while the renaming celebrates Trump’s perceived role in rescuing and elevating the center, it has ignited a fierce debate over legacy, legality, and cultural institutions.
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