Trump’s name added to Kennedy Center exterior, one day after vote to rename

In December 2025, Donald Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., renaming it "The Donald J Trump and the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." This occurred just a day after a vote by Trump-appointed board members to rename the venue. The move has drawn criticism from Kennedy family members, historians, and Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the renaming violates the 1964 law designating the center as a memorial to John F. Kennedy. Critics assert that only an act of Congress can alter the center's name, as the current board lacks the legal authority. The original law also prohibits memorializing anyone else or adding another name to the building's exterior.

The Kennedy Center board in Washington D.C. reportedly voted to rename the institution, currently named after President John F. Kennedy, to the "Trump-Kennedy Center." The White House cited Donald Trump's efforts in saving the building through reconstruction, financial support, and reputation enhancement as the reason for the change. However, Joe Kennedy III, grandson of John F. Kennedy, questioned the legality of the name change, referencing the center's establishment by federal law as a memorial. This follows previous proposals, including renaming the Opera House after Melania Trump, and is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape arts and culture institutions in Washington D.C. Critics point to a federal statute prohibiting additional memorials within the Kennedy Center.

In December 2025, the White House announced that the board of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted to rename the center after President Donald Trump. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the Trump-appointed board made the decision to recognize Trump's work in saving, reconstructing, and bolstering the finances and reputation of the building. The Kennedy Center, located in Washington, D.C., was established in 1971 as a "living memorial" to President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. It is currently unclear if the name change can proceed without congressional approval. The announcement has sparked outrage from relatives of the late President Kennedy.