President Donald Trump looks over the Opera House from the Presidential Box at the John F. Kennedy Center during a guided tour on March 17, 2025. CNN
The board of trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted Thursday to rename the institution. The new name includes both President Donald Trump and former president John F. Kennedy. A spokesperson said the board approved the decision unanimously during the meeting.
“The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to name the institution The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” spokeswoman Roma Daravi said.
She added the name reflects Trump’s involvement with the center since early in his second term.
Trump Reacts From the White House
President Trump responded later in the day from the Oval Office. He said the decision surprised him and left him feeling honoured.
“This was brought up by one of the very distinguished board members, and they voted on it, and there’s a lot of board members, and they voted unanimously,” Trump said.
Soon after the announcement, the center updated its website. The new name appeared across the homepage by Thursday afternoon.
Dispute Over Voting Process
Despite claims of unanimous support, at least one board member disagreed. Representative Joyce Beatty said she could not speak during the meeting.
“I was on that call and as I tried to push my button to voice my concern, to ask questions, and certainly not to vote in support of this, I was muted. Each time I tried to speak, I was muted,” she said.
The White House maintained that the vote passed without opposition.
Legal Authority Questioned
The renaming raised immediate legal concerns. Congress named the arts center after President Kennedy in 1964. Federal law restricts changes to memorials at the site.
Legal experts said the board may lack authority to approve the change. Georgetown law professor David Super said the move likely violates federal law.
“There is absolutely no way they can do this legally,” Super said.
He added that any legal challenge may still struggle to succeed.
Kennedy Family Pushes Back
Members of the Kennedy family strongly opposed the decision. Joe Kennedy III said the board cannot rename a memorial created by Congress.
“The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law,” he said. “It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”
Maria Shriver also criticized the decision. She spoke about her uncle’s commitment to arts and culture.
“He was a man who was interested in the arts, interested in culture, interested in education, language, history,” she said. “It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy.”
Broader Changes at the Center
The vote follows several major changes at the center. Trump restructured the board earlier this year. He removed longtime leadership and appointed close allies.
New leadership has reduced staff and changed programming plans. Trump also secured funding for renovations. He said the building needed urgent repairs.
“We’re saving the building. We saved the building,” Trump said. “The building was in bad shape, and now it’s very solid.”
Public Debate Continues
The renaming decision has sparked strong reactions nationwide. Legal challenges may follow in coming weeks. Questions remain about whether the name change will stand.
For now, the decision places the Kennedy Center at the centre of political and cultural debate.
