President Donald Trump is shaking up the arts world with a bold plan to rebrand a Washington, D.C., cultural landmark, according to People.
Just days into his second term, Trump has set his sights on transforming the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, previewing the annual honors on social media while proposing sweeping changes to its name and leadership.
The Kennedy Center, located on the Potomac River's eastern bank, was envisioned in the 1950s as the National Cultural Center before being rededicated as a "living memorial" to President John F. Kennedy after his tragic assassination.
Construction kicked off in December 1964, and it officially opened its doors on Sept. 8, 1971, designed by architect Edward Durell Stone. Today, it’s home to the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington National Opera, and countless performances annually.
Fast forward to June 11, 2025, when Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the opening night of "Les Misérables" at the Kennedy Center—only to be met with boos from the audience. Talk about a tough crowd! It’s clear not everyone is ready for the encore Trump has in mind.
Just a month later, on July 22, 2025, the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee voted 33-25 to approve an amendment renaming the Kennedy Center Opera House—one of its three main theaters—after Melania Trump.
This measure, part of a larger funding bill for the Interior Department and other agencies, still awaits full House approval. It’s a move that’s raised eyebrows, to say the least.
The very next day, Missouri Rep. Bob Onder doubled down, introducing a bill to rename the entire institution as the Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts, charmingly titled the “Make Entertainment Great Again Act.”
Onder argues Trump’s entertainment credentials—from "The Apprentice" to cameos in films like "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York"—make him a fitting namesake. He even called Trump a “significant cultural icon,” which is sure to get tongues wagging at intermission.
By Aug. 12, 2025, Trump took to Truth Social to preview the annual Kennedy Center Honors, accidentally dubbing it the “Trump/Kennedy Center” before correcting himself with a cheeky “whoops.”
He boasted, “Tremendous work is being done,” promising a return to “luxury, glamour, and entertainment.” Sounds like a blockbuster in the making—or a flop, depending on who you ask.
Trump didn’t stop at social media hype; he’s installed himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center, replaced much of its leadership with a board of conservative allies, and appointed Richard Grenell, a key administration figure, as president and interim director. It’s a top-to-bottom makeover aimed at, in Trump’s words, ensuring the center “runs properly.” But is this a revival or a hostile takeover?
Speaking of Trump’s vision, he’s been clear about his disdain for what he sees as misguided programming, stating, “We don’t need woke at the Kennedy Center.”
It’s a jab at progressive cultural trends that many on the right feel have overtaken institutions like this one. While some cheer this pushback, others worry it risks politicizing a space meant to unite through art.
The Kennedy family, unsurprisingly, isn’t applauding from the front row. Jack Schlossberg took to Instagram with a blunt “YOU CAN’T DO THAT,” citing a 1983 federal law that bars additional memorials or plaques in the Kennedy Center’s public areas. It’s a legal hurdle that could dim the lights on Trump’s renaming dreams.
Maria Shriver, another Kennedy family member, vented on X, calling the move “insane” and “petty.” She questioned the motive behind targeting a memorial tied to JFK’s legacy, asking, “What’s next?” It’s a fair point—where does rebranding history stop?
Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center Honors, often likened to a British knighthood or the French Legion of Honor, continue to stand as a pinnacle of artistic recognition over their 47-year run. Renaming or not, the event remains a tribute to the nation’s top talent, though this year’s ceremony might feel more like a political drama than a celebration.
Trump’s supporters, like Rep. Onder, argue he’s earned a spotlight in the arts, praising his “mastery of entertainment” as a symbol of American exceptionalism.
It’s hard to deny Trump’s knack for capturing attention, whether on reality TV or the political stage. But should that translate to renaming a memorial built on another president’s memory?
On the flip side, critics see this as an overreach, trampling on a cultural institution meant to honor JFK’s vision for the arts as a unifying force. The Kennedy Center isn’t just a building—it’s a symbol, and altering its identity risks alienating those who see it as sacred ground. This debate isn’t just about a name; it’s about whose legacy gets to take center stage.