Trump triggers outrage after he added his name to the Kennedy Center

Dec. 19, 2025

An ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board and members of the Kennedy family cast doubts over the process. The Board of Directors, appointed by President Donald J. Trump (R), reportedly voted via an online meeting. However, when U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio 3) attempted to express dissent during the meeting, she alleged that she was muted. Meanwhilst, Kennedy family members denounced the renaming as an affront to the memory of former President John. F. Kennedy (D).

Further Reading :

• As Trump Puts His Brand on Washington, the Kennedy Center Gets a New Name [The New York Times]
  Dec. 18, 2025 — The board for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced that it would now be named the Trump-Kennedy Center, although a formal change may have to be approved by Congress.
• Trump's handpicked Kennedy Center board votes to rename it the 'Trump-Kennedy Center' [NBC News]
  Dec. 18, 2025 — The news prompted swift backlash from some members of the Kennedy family, including some who suggested the change might not be lawful.
• Kennedy Center board votes to rename to ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’ [The Washington Post]
  Dec. 18, 2025 — Trustees voted to rename the center after President Donald Trump, who is also the board chair. It was unclear whether such a change is legal.

Key Words :

• Donald J Trump
• John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• Joseph P. Kennedy III
• Joyce Beatty
• Kerry Kennedy