In a historic and unanimous decision, the board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted Thursday to rename the iconic Washington institution the Trump-Kennedy Center, honoring both President John F. Kennedy and President Donald Trump.
According to a statement from the center, the institution’s full new name will be The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The vote took place during a board meeting in which President Trump, now serving as chairman of the board, participated by phone. The president has previously joked about the name — turns out he was only half joking.
Center spokeswoman Roma Daravi explained that the unanimous vote reflects recognition of Trump’s role in saving the institution from financial ruin and physical deterioration. The decision, she said, represents “unequivocal bipartisan support for America’s cultural center for generations to come.” Not bad for a move critics swore would never happen.
Since returning to office, President Trump has reshaped the board by appointing allies, donors, and senior administration figures, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, and Second Lady Usha Vance. The board also includes prominent Republican donors and philanthropists such as Allison Lutnick, Lynda Lomangino, Mindy Levine, Pamela Gross, John Falconetti, and Cheri Summerall, along with advisers and arts patrons like Sergio Gor, Emilia May Fanjul, Patricia Duggan, and Dana Blumberg.
These appointments have significantly shifted the board’s makeup, placing leadership in the hands of individuals aligned with the president’s cultural and administrative priorities — a fact that has clearly translated into decisive action.
Not everyone was thrilled. Democrat Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex officio board member, complained on X that she was muted during the call and unable to voice her opposition. Even so, the vote was unanimous — which says plenty on its own.
The Kennedy Center was originally established in 1958 as a national cultural institution and renamed in honor of President Kennedy following his assassination in 1963. The building opened in 1971 along the Potomac River and has since stood as the nation’s premier venue for theater, music, dance, and major performances. It operates as a public-private partnership, receiving federal support for maintenance while relying heavily on private funding and ticket sales.
President Trump has long criticized past programming at the center, arguing that it drifted into political bias. He has also pushed for a renewed vision for national arts and culture — one focused on excellence, balance, and broad public appeal rather than ideology.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the decision, highlighting Trump’s role in restoring the building financially, structurally, and reputationally. She congratulated both presidents, calling the pairing a “truly great team long into the future.”
The message from the board is unmistakable: under President Trump’s leadership, the Kennedy Center has been stabilized, revitalized, and set on a stronger path forward. The newly named Trump-Kennedy Center now stands as a symbol of restored greatness — honoring the past while confidently investing in America’s cultural future.
