Kennedy Center Board Votes to Rename It Trump–Kennedy Center

WASHINGTON—The Kennedy Center board unanimously voted on Dec. 18 to rename the institution the Trump-Kennedy Center, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on social media.

“I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building,” she posted on X.

“Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. 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.”

Speaking in the Oval Office on Dec. 18, Trump said he was “very honored” by the renaming.

“The board is a very distinguished board, most distinguished people in the country, and I was surprised by it. I was honored by it,” Trump said.

Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations at the Kennedy Center, confirmed Leavitt’s announcement, telling The Epoch Times, “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.”

“The unanimous vote recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction,” Daravi said. “The new Trump-Kennedy Center reflects the unequivocal bipartisan support for America’s cultural center for generations to come.”

Trump is the chairman of the Kennedy Center, and Ric Grenell is the president.

When Trump was asked on Dec. 7 whether the Kennedy Center would be renamed after him, he said it was up to the board.

Board members include Fox News hosts Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Second Lady Usha Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Dan Scavino, White House presidential personnel office director and deputy chief of staff.

Shortly after taking office, Trump took over the Kennedy Center, firing the board and its president, billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, saying that they did not share his “vision for a Golden Age in arts and culture.”

The president has also recently attended Kennedy Center events, including the opening of “Les Misérables” and the FIFA World Cup Draw. He hosted the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony earlier this month.

Members of the Kennedy family criticized the announcement.

“The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law,” former Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) said. “It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”

“President Trump and his administration have spent the past year repressing free expression, targeting artists, journalists, and comedians, and erasing the history of Americans whose contributions made our nation better and more just,” Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, posted on X.

“President Kennedy proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer. President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy’s.”

Since taking office, Trump made changes to the Kennedy Center, renovating the venue and its programming.

On Dec. 17, for example, the performing arts center held its first official Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, hosted by Grenell and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

After the ceremony, the guests were invited to watch the show “Noel: Jesus is Born!” The show is a holiday concert featuring Charles Billingsley and his Yuletide Orchestra, along with special guest Grammy-nominated Christian musician Matthew West.

“We’re going to be unapologetic about celebrating the Christian holiday,” Grenell said in an interview with NTD, sister outlet of The Epoch Times, on Dec. 17.

“One of the first things I did when I came here is to look at the programming calendar and recognize that when it comes to December, we have a holiday season, and many Christians, a majority of people, really celebrate the birth of Christ.”

Emel Akan contributed to this report.