The board appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump voted on Thursday to rename Washington’s primary performing arts center as the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to the White House. This decision has sparked criticism from Democrats who argue that the board exceeded its legal mandate.
The center was originally named after President John F. Kennedy by Congress in 1964 following his assassination. Donald A. Ritchie, a former Senate historian, stated that since Congress initially christened the center, any alterations to the name would require congressional approval.
Despite ongoing debates, the board swiftly updated the center’s branding on its website to reflect the new title. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the necessity for legislative action in response to the renaming. The unanimous vote by the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees renamed the institution to the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, as confirmed by Roma Daravi, the institution’s public relations vice president.
Daravi asserted that the rebranding acknowledges Trump’s alleged efforts in rescuing the center from financial troubles and physical deterioration, claims disputed by the former leadership. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced the vote on social media, attributing it to Trump’s significant contributions to the center since re-assuming office in January.
Trump expressed surprise and honor at the decision during a White House statement, praising the distinguished members of the board for their support. Prior to the official renaming, Trump had informally referred to the center as the “Trump Kennedy Center” on multiple occasions.
The renaming has not been well-received by some members of the Kennedy family, with Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, condemning the move as inappropriate. She criticized Trump’s attempt to associate his name with her uncle’s memorial and speculated on potential future renamings of other presidential memorials.
In addition to the renaming controversy, Trump has undertaken renovations at the White House, including the revamping of the Kennedy-era Rose Garden. Family members of the Kennedys, such as Tim Shriver and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have expressed their disapproval of the renaming decision.
Trump’s involvement with the Kennedy Center has intensified since his return to office, with significant funding secured for renovations and programming changes. Notably, there has been a decline in subscription sales and cancellations of touring productions at the center following Trump’s increased engagement with its operations.