The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will now be known as the Trump-Kennedy Center after its board of trustees voted unanimously to add President Donald Trump’s name alongside the late President John F. Kennedy, citing Trump’s role in saving the institution from financial collapse.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
In a statement, the center announced the renaming, emphasizing that the decision reflects “unequivocal bipartisan support“ for America’s premier cultural institution. “The unanimous vote recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction,” said spokeswoman Roma Daravi.
The vote occurred during a board meeting where Trump participated by phone, according to CNN. The president has previously joked about renaming the center the “Trump-Kennedy Center” and has reshaped its leadership since returning to office, appointing allies like Susie Wiles, Dan Scavino, and Usha Vance to the board.
A Board Reshaped by Trump’s Appointees
The board now includes prominent Republican donors and philanthropists, such as:
- Allison Lutnick (wife of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick)
- Lynda Lomangino (longtime GOP donor)
- Sergio Gor (Trump adviser)
- Patricia Duggan (conservative donor)
The shift in board composition aligns with Trump’s vision for the center, which he has criticized for political bias in its programming. He has also proposed cutting federal arts funding, arguing that some programs do not reflect national values.
Democratic Opposition Silenced
During the vote, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), an ex officio board member, reportedly attempted to object but was muted, highlighting the board’s new political alignment.
A Legacy Institution Rebranded
Established in 1958 and renamed after JFK’s assassination, the Kennedy Center has been a cornerstone of American arts. The renaming follows Trump’s efforts to revitalize the center financially and structurally, as celebrated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a post on X:
“The highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center… have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done… Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation.”
The decision marks a historic rebranding of one of the nation’s most iconic cultural landmarks, blending legacy and modern leadership in its new identity.
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