Kennedy Centre To Be Named After Trump Following 'Unanimous Decision', Says White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday said the Board of the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts have voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Centre to the Trump-Kennedy Centre, after US President Donald Trump.

“I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building,” she said on X.

“Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations

to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur.”

I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump…

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) December 18, 2025

Notably, Trump has been eager to put his stamp on Washington and his name on buildings. The administration recently added his name to the United States Institute of Peace building near the White House.

While Leavitt claimed the decision was unanimous, US Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex officio board member, disputed the notion. For the record. This was not unanimous. I was muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition to this move. Also for the record, this was not on the agenda,” she said on X.

Can Trump Rename Kennedy Centre?

The US president has sought to revamp the Kennedy Centre, taking over its leadership and criticising its upkeep. Earlier this month, the president hosted the Kennedy Centre Honours, the institution’s flagship awards show for the arts, and referred to it as the “Trump-Kennedy Centre” at one point from the stage.

However, while speaking on the matter at the Oval Office, Trump said that he was “surprised” and “honoured” by the change in the name.

After taking little interest in it during his first term in office, Trump launched a revamp of the Kennedy Centre shortly after returning to power. He ousted the chair and installed a new board that made Trump the chair instead. He also fired the centre’s longtime president, tapping Richard Grenell, a former ambassador to Germany, to run it in her place.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Second Lady Usha Vance are also currently on the board. However, the name change will require Congressional approval as the centre was named in a 1964 law, even though it won’t prevent the centre from changing its name on its website or tickets.

Meanwhile, former US Representative Joe Kennedy, a grandnephew of the late JFK, said, “The Kennedy Centre 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.”