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, as confirmed by the White House. This decision sparked outrage among Democrats who claimed the board had exceeded its legal jurisdiction. The center was originally named after President John F. Kennedy in 1964 by Congress following his tragic assassination. According to Donald A. Ritchie, a former Senate historian, any formal name change would require Congressional approval to amend the existing law.
Despite this, the board swiftly updated the center’s branding on its website to reflect the new name. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the necessity for legislative action, asserting that the board’s move required clarification. The institution’s public relations vice-president, Roma Daravi, announced that the board unanimously agreed to rename the center the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Daravi mentioned that the decision was made to acknowledge Trump’s alleged rescue of the center from financial distress and potential destruction, claims disputed by the former leadership of the venue.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the news of the vote on social media, attributing it to Trump’s commendable efforts in revitalizing the center after resuming his position in January. Trump, who is the board’s chair and a Republican, expressed his surprise and honor at the decision during a statement at the White House.
Prior to the official renaming, Trump had been informally referring to the center as the “Trump Kennedy Center.” Some members of the Kennedy family, such as Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, expressed disapproval of the renaming, considering it inappropriate and beyond comprehension. Shriver highlighted Kennedy’s historical significance in promoting the arts and speculated that Trump might seek to rename other presidential memorials.
Trump’s involvement with the center intensified after his return to office in January, where he replaced board members with supporters who subsequently elected him as the board chairman. He criticized the center’s programming and appearance, pledging to implement significant changes. Trump secured over $250 million from Congress for renovations, aiming to enhance various aspects of the building.
Sales of subscription packages reportedly declined following Trump’s increased involvement, leading to the cancellation of several touring productions and the resignation of prominent figures associated with the Kennedy Center. Despite controversies surrounding the name change, Trump’s impact on the center’s operations and reputation remains a subject of debate.
