Washington’s iconic John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts will be renamed the “Trump-Kennedy Center” after President Donald Trump, the White House announced Thursday.
The extraordinary naming of a major cultural venue after a living president is the latest attempt by the 79-year-old Republican to stamp his identity on the US capital in his second term.
He has also demolished the White House East Wing to install a grand ballroom and is looking to build a larger triumphal arch.
White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said the Kennedy Center’s board—which was split from Democrats before Trump installed himself as chair earlier this year—had “voted unanimously” for the change.
He said, “It’s because of the incredible job that President Trump has done over the last year to save the building. This is not only about rebuilding the building, but also about its financial stability and reputation.
congratulations to President Kennedy,
He said, “Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because the pair will be a truly great team in the future! The building will undoubtedly achieve new levels of success and grandeur.”
The huge white monument is named after President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. The centre, which is located on the banks of the Potomac River, opened in 1971.
Trump has made several references to renaming the centre in recent months.
Earlier this month at the inauguration of a peace institute also named after him, Trump referred to it as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” before adding, “Oops, sorry.”
During his first term, billionaire Trump never attended the annual fundraising gala for recipients of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honours, as many of the artists among them vocally opposed his policies.
This time, Trump moved quickly to make the centre his own, ridding its board of trustees of Democratic appointees and ousting its president as part of a broader attack on federally funded cultural institutions he deemed too “woke”.
Trump then presented the honours himself this year, giving awards to “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, disco legend Gloria Gaynor and rock band KISS.
A few days earlier, at the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 5, Trump received a new peace award from football’s governing body and gave a speech on stage.
