WASHINGTON — A board appointed by President Donald Trump voted this week to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to the White House, marking a dramatic shift for one of the nation’s most prominent cultural institutions and reopening a long running debate over politics, legacy and public arts funding.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the vote Thursday, saying the decision reflected Trump’s role in securing funding, overseeing renovations and restoring what she described as the center’s financial standing and reputation.
The Kennedy Center, established in the nineteen sixties and named after President John F. Kennedy, has long operated as a bipartisan symbol of national culture. Trump, now serving as chairman of the board, has frequently referred to the venue as the “Trump Kennedy Center” in public remarks.
Earlier this month, Trump told supporters he was attending a “big event at the Trump Kennedy Center,” later correcting himself to laughter. He previously said any renaming decision would rest with the board, which he reshaped after returning to office in January by replacing Democratic appointees with allies.
The vote follows congressional approval of more than two hundred fifty million dollars in federal funding for major renovations. Trump has attended high profile events at the venue this year, including the opening of “Les Misérables,” and hosted the annual Kennedy Center Honors, which he skipped during his first term.
Cultural policy experts said the renaming of a federally chartered arts institution is rare and legally complex, even with board approval.
“While the board has significant authority, the Kennedy Center’s identity is tied to congressional statute and public memory,” said Dr. Elaine Morris, a professor of arts administration at Georgetown University. “Any permanent change could invite legal and political scrutiny beyond the boardroom.”
Others said the move reflects a broader trend of presidents exerting greater influence over cultural institutions.
“This is about power and branding as much as governance,” said Thomas Reed, a former adviser to the National Endowment for the Arts. “The Trump-Kennedy Center name itself symbolizes a collision of eras.”
The Kennedy Center receives roughly one hundred million dollars annually in federal support, according to public budget data, alongside private donations and ticket revenue.
Previous renovations have spanned decades and multiple administrations, though few presidents have sought such visible personal association with the venue.
By comparison, no major federally supported performing arts center has been renamed for a sitting or former president in modern history, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Reaction has been mixed among artists, patrons and residents of Washington. “It feels strange to change a name that has stood for generations,” said Linda Perez, a longtime season ticket holder from Arlington, Virginia.
“The Kennedy Center has always felt bigger than politics.” Others welcomed the decision, citing recent investments.
“If Trump really saved the building financially, I understand why supporters feel he deserves recognition,” said Mark Ellison, a small business owner who attended recent performances.
Members of the Kennedy family have been sharply critical. Maria Shriver, Kennedy’s niece, called the proposal “insane” in a July social media post, while questioning what she described as a pattern of renaming historic spaces.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., another family member, currently serves in Trump’s Cabinet. Legal experts said Congress could still intervene if lawmakers oppose the change, particularly if federal statutes governing the center are implicated.
Any permanent rebranding would also require updates to signage, marketing materials and international cultural agreements.
The Trump-Kennedy Center name may face additional debate as the venue prepares for upcoming global events, including activities tied to the two thousand twenty six FIFA World Cup, which Trump referenced during recent remarks.
Broadcast plans for the Kennedy Center Honors remain unchanged, with CBS and Paramount+ scheduled to air the program later this month.
The board’s vote to rename the Kennedy Center as the Trump-Kennedy Center represents a significant moment in the intersection of politics and the arts, highlighting competing views over stewardship, legacy and the role of public institutions.
As legal, cultural and political discussions continue, the future identity of Washington’s premier performing arts venue remains a subject of national attention.
