The board selected by U.S. President Donald Trump voted on Thursday to change the name of Washington’s primary performing arts center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House. This decision sparked opposition from Democrats who argued that the board exceeded its legal mandate.
Initially named after President John F. Kennedy by Congress in 1964 following his tragic assassination, Donald A. Ritchie, a former Senate historian, emphasized that any alteration to the center’s name would require congressional action to amend the existing law.
Despite ongoing debates, the board swiftly updated the center’s branding on its website to reflect the new designation. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed the necessity for legislative action to address the matter, underscoring his role as an ex officio member of the board due to his congressional position.
In a statement, Roma Daravi, the public relations vice president of the institution, announced that the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted unanimously to rename the center as the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Daravi highlighted Trump’s purported rescue of the center from financial and physical challenges, claims disputed by the center’s former leadership.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the news of the vote on social media, attributing it to Trump’s commendable efforts since resuming office in January. Trump, who serves as the board’s chairperson, expressed his surprise and honor at the decision during a White House address.
Prior to this official renaming, Trump had informally referred to the center as the “Trump Kennedy Center.” Some members of the Kennedy family, including Maria Shriver, expressed discontent with the name change, emphasizing the significance of John F. Kennedy’s legacy in the arts.
In addition to this controversy, Trump’s revamping of the Rose Garden at the White House earlier this year drew criticism from Tim Shriver, Maria’s brother, who deemed the renaming as an insult to a revered president.
Trump’s increased involvement with the Kennedy Center, marked by significant funding from Congress for renovations and program changes, has led to mixed reactions within the arts community and among patrons. Despite his efforts to boost the center’s profile, concerns have arisen over declining subscriptions and canceled performances since his leadership takeover.
