President Trump’s handpicked board boldly renames the iconic Kennedy Center the Trump Kennedy Center, igniting Democrat fury over legal overreach while honoring his revitalization efforts.
Story Highlights
- Trump’s board unanimously votes to rename the center, immediately updating its website despite congressional naming authority.
- Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and Joyce Beatty decry the move as illegal, claiming only Congress can change the name.
- Trump secures $250 million for renovations, targets “woke” programming, but faces backlash with canceled shows and resignations.
- Republicans praise the honor; Kennedy family members blast it as an insult to JFK’s legacy.
Board Takes Decisive Action
On December 18, 2025, President Donald Trump’s handpicked board voted unanimously to rename Washington’s leading performing arts center the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Roma Daravi, center spokesperson, confirmed the decision.
The board updated the website instantly, bypassing ongoing legal debates. Trump, now board chairman, expressed surprise and honor at the White House. This move underscores his commitment to overhauling an institution he views as steeped in liberal bias.
Trump’s handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center https://t.co/FrXANgYBRg
— The Lowell Sun (@LowellSun) December 18, 2025
Democrat Outrage and Legal Challenges
House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries insisted only Congress holds renaming authority, as it originally named the center after JFK in 1964 following his assassination. Rep. Joyce Beatty, participating remotely, claimed she was muted during objections and called it an evasion of law.
Non-voting Democrat lawmakers labeled the vote illegal. Former Senate historian Donald A. Ritchie affirmed Congress must amend the law for changes to legally stick, though informal references remain possible. Beatty received listening privileges despite lacking a vote.
Trump replaced Democrat-appointed board members with supporters upon returning to office in January 2025, electing himself chairman. He secured over $250 million from Republican-led Congress for upgrades like new seats and paint.
Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors and attended “Les Misérables” opening, contrasting his first-term disinterest. He previously called it the “Trump Kennedy Center” publicly, including at the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.
Revitalization Efforts Meet Resistance
Trump lambasted the center’s past liberal programming and dilapidated state, vowing comprehensive changes to combat “woke” anti-American culture. Sales of subscription packages declined post-takeover.
Productions like “Hamilton” canceled runs; empty seats appeared in the Concert Hall for National Symphony Orchestra shows. Performers Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens scrapped appearances. Consultants Ben Folds and Renée Fleming resigned, signaling cultural pushback against Trump’s vision.
Partisan Divide and Family Reactions
Sen. Lindsey Graham hailed the rename as a well-deserved honor for Trump’s refurbishing passion. Kennedy family members reacted sharply: Maria Shriver deemed it “beyond comprehension” and “beyond wild,” speculating on further renames like JFK Airport. Her brother Tim Shriver called it an insult on X.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., their cousin and HHS Secretary in Trump’s Cabinet, stayed silent on the matter. A July bill by Rep. Bob Order seeks to legally designate it the Donald J. Trump Center, pending House action.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the vote on social media, crediting Trump’s “unbelievable work.” The Honors program airs December 23 on CBS and Paramount+.
Trump’s actions, including Rose Garden renovations, reflect broader reclamation of American cultural icons from leftist influence, resonating with conservatives tired of woke overreach.
