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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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The board of the Kennedy Center has voted unanimously to rename the institution the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Announcing the news on X, Leavitt said "some of the most successful people from all parts of the world" had voted to make the change because of the work Trump had done to save the building.
"Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation," she wrote. "Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur."
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Why It Matters
Trump appointed the board of the performing arts center earlier this year after criticizing past performances and programs, which he said were too left-leaning or anti-American. The changes have seen audiences drop off, with critics saying the president should not be able to dictate what is and isn't performed at the venue.
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What To Know
Among the members of the board, appointed by the president, who voted on the move today are Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and second lady Usha Vance. Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty, who also sits on the board, said she was muted on the call and not allowed to speak.
The renaming is the latest effort by Trump to leave his mark on Washington, D.C. In early December, his name was added to the U.S. Institute of Peace. He is also looking to modify the White House and parts of the National Mall.
Trump, a Republican, often refers to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which is named for a Democratic predecessor, as the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
Asked on December 7 as he walked the red carpet for the Kennedy Center Honors program whether he would rename the venue after himself, Trump said such a decision would be up to the board.
Earlier this month, Trump talked about a “big event on Friday at the Trump Kennedy Center” before saying, “excuse me, at the Kennedy Center,” as his audience laughed. He was referring to the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, in which he participated.
It was not immediately clear if Trump had the authority to change the name of the building, which was commissioned by Congress as a memorial to Kennedy following his assassination. The rules around what the board can and cannot do do not mention renaming the venue.
What People Are Saying
Ohio Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, on X: "For the record. This was not unanimous. I was muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition to this move."
Former Representative Joe Kennedy III, a nephew of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on X: "The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law. It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says."
Journalist Maria Shriver, a niece of President John F. Kennedy, on X on Thursday: "Some things leave you speechless, and enraged, and in a state of disbelief. At times such as that, it’s better to be quiet. For how long, I can’t say. TDS [Trump Derangement Syndrome] in full display."
What's Next
Several Democrats and commentators have called for the changes made by Trump to the Kennedy Center and other aspects of D.C. to be reversed once he leaves office in 2029.
Update 12/18/25, 4:36 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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