Trump Proposes Altering Name of Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center, a renowned performing arts centre in Washington D.C., is at the centre of a political storm, with a proposal to rename it after President Donald Trump. The "Make Entertainment Great Again Act," introduced by Congressman Bob Onder, suggests renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts. However, the bill (H.R. 4715) has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and is yet to be voted on by Congress [1].
Last month, Republicans voted to rename the Opera House at the Kennedy Center after First Lady Melania Trump, but this too awaits congressional approval [1]. President Trump has hinted at an imminent renaming, stating it could happen "in a week or so," but no formal renaming has taken place [2].
Trump's active involvement in the Kennedy Center's future extends beyond the proposed name change. In March 2025, he attended a Kennedy Center board meeting, and in July, he announced the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, including Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford, catching Kennedy Center staff off guard [3].
Trump has also expressed his desire to restore the Kennedy Center's prestige and grandeur through renovations. His plans include a transformation of the exterior and the building of a new ballroom [4]. Trump's statement regarding the renovations was posted on Truth Social.
However, the details of the Kennedy Center renovations remain unclear, and the reactions to Trump's involvement have been mixed. Some view his actions as an attempt to minimize the heroes of the past and to be bigger than JFK, while others appreciate his advocacy for the centre's renovations [5].
Emily Burack, Senior News Editor for Town & Country, has been closely following the developments at the Kennedy Center. She notes that Trump's staff is often "out of the loop" and "worried they won't have enough time to sell tickets and sponsorships" [6].
John F. Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, responded to the proposed name change of the Opera House, stating, "The Trump Administration stands for freedom of oppression, not expression" [7].
As the future of the Kennedy Center unfolds, one thing is certain: the centre's legacy and the role it plays in the arts community are under scrutiny like never before.
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2025/07/23/kennedy-center-renamed-trump-center-congress-bill/ [2] https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/22/politics/trump-kennedy-center-renaming/index.html [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/arts/kennedy-center-honors-trump.html [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/08/05/kennedy-center-renovations-trump/ [5] https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/23/kennedy-center-renamed-trump-reaction-488746 [6] https://www.townandcountry.com/culture/arts-and-entertainment/a34491021/kennedy-center-trump-renovations/ [7] https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/10/politics/jack-schlossberg-kennedy-center-trump-opera-house/index.html
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