Lawmakers challenge the addition of President Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center, claiming the renaming is illegal and violates congressional authority.
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Trump Kennedy Center: Lawmakers Sue to Remove President’s Name
Overview of the Trump Kennedy Center Name Change
Democratic US Representative Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit seeking to remove President Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Last week, the board of the Kennedy Center—filled with Trump allies—voted to rename it the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
According to Beatty, changing the name of the iconic performing arts center requires “an act of Congress,” making the board’s vote potentially illegal. Beatty, designated as a board member by US law, stated in her lawsuit that her opposition was muted during the renaming meeting.
Legal and Political Backlash
Beatty’s lawsuit argues that Congress intended the center to be a “living memorial” exclusively honoring former President John F. Kennedy. The legal filing likens the board’s action to practices found in authoritarian regimes:
“[I]n scenes more reminiscent of authoritarian regimes than the American republic – the sitting President and his handpicked loyalists renamed this storied center after President Trump,” the lawsuit states.
The move has sparked harsh criticism, especially in Washington, DC, where the Kennedy Center has long held iconic status as a tribute to the slain president. Several members of the Kennedy family, including Joe Kennedy III, condemned the change, highlighting that the name is protected by federal law.
- Joe Kennedy III stated: “The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law. It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”
White House and Supporter Response
In a statement to the BBC, the White House defended the renaming, praising President Trump’s efforts to “strengthen the finances, modernize the building, and end divisive woke programming.” White House spokesperson Liz Huston characterized the unanimous board vote as marking “a new era of success, prestige, and restored grandeur.”
Following the board’s decision, President Trump’s name was added to the exterior. The center’s website logo has also been updated to reflect the new “Trump Kennedy Center” name.
Background: The Kennedy Center’s Origins and Recent Changes
Origin as a Memorial to President Kennedy
Construction of a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. After President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, Congress named the venue in his honor to serve as a living memorial.
Trump’s Influence Over the Board
After taking office, President Trump restructured the board by firing several members and appointing loyalists, such as adviser Richard Grenell (now board president), and naming himself chairman. The current board consists of 34 Trump appointees and 23 others designated under US law.
Trump also secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding for major renovations, arguing the center was in “bad shape.”
Debate Over Authority and Next Steps
The legality of renaming the Kennedy Center remains under scrutiny. The Trump Kennedy Center controversy highlights ongoing tensions over control and commemoration in America’s capital.
For more on historic controversies in Washington, DC, see our guide to Capitol building name changes.
For more comprehensive details and ongoing news updates, visit the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees official resource.