Trump’s name added to Kennedy Center signage day after White House announced change
1:58President Donald Trump’s name has been added to the front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, on December 19, 2025. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
The White House declared on Thursday that the board of the Kennedy Center, now chaired by President Donald Trump and composed of his appointees, has voted “unanimously” to rebrand the building as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
"I have just been informed that the highly esteemed Board of the Kennedy Center, featuring some of the most accomplished individuals from around the globe, has unanimously voted to change the name of the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, in recognition of the remarkable work President Trump has accomplished over the past year in preserving the building,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a social media post.
"This decision reflects not only the building’s renovation but also its financial stability and reputation. Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and also to President Kennedy, as this partnership will surely lead to great achievements in the future! The center will undoubtedly reach new heights of success and magnificence," Leavitt added.
On Friday, workers affixed "The Donald J. Trump and" to the front of the structure just above the existing sign that reads, "The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
President Donald Trump’s name has been added to the front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, on December 19, 2025. Jacquelyn Martin/AP
The renaming of the center raises legal concerns, as it seems congressional approval would be required for the name alteration.
President Donald Trump’s name has been added to the front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, on December 19, 2025. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
David Super, a law professor at Georgetown, informed ABC News that federal law (Title 20 of the U.S. Code, section 76i) officially names the building “the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.”
"I suppose he could rename certain areas of the building, but he cannot change the name of the building itself or the center itself,” Super remarked.
Earlier in February, Trump dismissed several members from the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees and assumed the role of chairman. Numerous officials from his administration were subsequently appointed as board members — including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, second lady Usha Vance, deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, and U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor.
President Donald Trump stands in the presidential box as he tours the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on March 17, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
When queried about the board’s vote to rename the center during an executive order signing in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump expressed that he was "honored" and "surprised."
"Well, I was honored by it. It’s a board with very distinguished members, some of the most prominent people in the country. And I was taken aback by it. I was honored by it," Trump commented.
Although Trump and the White House claimed the vote was unanimous, Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, who is an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Board of Trustees, stated that she was muted during the call when the vote occurred and could not express her opposition to the name change.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com