Democrats Slam Kennedy Center Renaming to Trump-Kennedy/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrats erupted in opposition after a reported unanimous vote to rename the Kennedy Center the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” Lawmakers argue the board has no legal authority to change the name without congressional approval. The move has ignited political and legal backlash over honoring Trump at a national cultural institution.
Trump-Kennedy Center Renaming Controversy Quick Looks
- Kennedy Center board reportedly voted to rename it the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
- Democrats insist any renaming requires an act of Congress.
- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries called the move “a disgrace” and “an embarrassment.”
- The board allegedly muted dissenting voices during the vote.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Trump “saved” the building.
- The Kennedy Center’s name is codified in federal law.
- Rep. Joyce Beatty said she was silenced during the vote.
- Other Democratic board members were not present for the meeting.
- Rep. Rick Larsen called the renaming temporary and “not real.”
- Rep. Chellie Pingree said Democrats are exploring legal options.
- Pingree also emphasized the center as a living monument to JFK.
- Democrats are drafting a formal letter opposing the name change.
- Jeffries noted this will not distract from legislative priorities.
Deep Look: Democrats Condemn Kennedy Center Renaming to ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’
House Democrats reacted with outrage on Thursday following reports that the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees had unanimously voted to rename the prestigious cultural venue as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” The decision, revealed in a social media post by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, immediately sparked political uproar and legal scrutiny over the board’s authority to alter the institution’s congressionally mandated name.
Leavitt’s post claimed the board acted “unanimously” in its decision, praising what she described as “the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building.” No details were provided about what actions the former president had allegedly taken. The announcement appeared to be aimed at celebrating Trump’s supposed contributions to the center’s maintenance or revitalization.
However, federal law currently designates the institution’s name as the “John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.” That designation was established through legislation, and Democrats quickly argued that no board—regardless of intent or vote count—can override an act of Congress without additional legislative action.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board, firmly rejected the validity of the vote. “The Kennedy Center Board has no authority to actually rename the Kennedy Center in the absence of legislative action, and we’re going to make that clear,” Jeffries said. He further called the development “a disgrace” and “an embarrassment.”
The vote was reportedly held during a virtual board meeting, where Rep. Joyce Beatty, another Democratic ex-officio board member, attempted to speak out against the proposed name change. Beatty told reporters that she was abruptly muted and prevented from continuing.
“All of a sudden, when they heard me expressing opposition to it, I was no longer able to speak,” she explained. “I was cut off and received a screen that said I could not unmute myself. I had questions, concerns.”
Beatty also challenged the claim that the vote was unanimous, stating, “Certainly, this was not a unanimous vote.” Neither Jeffries nor Rep. Rick Larsen, the third House Democrat on the board, were present for the meeting, raising further questions about who voted and how the decision was made.
Larsen dismissed the renaming effort as symbolic and unenforceable. “Like most things Trump does, they are temporary or not real. Same goes for this one,” he said. “Congress named the Kennedy Center to honor the slain President. Nothing Trump does will change it. And if he defaces the place with his name, we will spackle it over.”
Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine, who leads the Democratic contingent on a House panel overseeing the Kennedy Center’s finances, echoed her colleagues’ outrage. She emphasized that the venue is intended as a national monument to President John F. Kennedy, stating, “It is our living monument to JFK. We didn’t build him another big statue on the mall.”
Pingree added that Democrats are actively exploring legal avenues to challenge the name change. “We are looking for any kind of legal action we could take,” she said, noting that conversations are ongoing with attorneys and relevant agencies. She also revealed that Democrats are preparing a formal letter of opposition to express their collective disapproval of the board’s actions.
While the controversy has generated significant media attention, Jeffries suggested that Democrats will remain focused on broader legislative objectives.
“We’re fighting hard to make sure that we restore the Affordable Care Act tax credits,” he said, signaling that the renaming dispute would not divert attention from key policy efforts.
Despite the political theater, it remains unclear whether the board has taken any formal legal steps to initiate a name change or if Leavitt’s post reflects a symbolic gesture rather than an actionable decision. Given the legal constraints imposed by Congress, any attempt to officially rename the Kennedy Center would likely face a protracted legal battle.
The Kennedy Center starts work to add Trump’s name onto the building
The Kennedy Center started the work of adding Donald Trump’s name to the building on Friday, a day after the president’s handpicked board voted to do so.
Several blue tarps were hung in front of the institution early Friday to block views of the work underway. A large letter D was seen on the exterior before the final tarps went up, along with workers on scaffolding at the center, which was named for John F. Kennedy, a Democratic president.
The board voted to rename The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts to The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Trump, a Republican, is chairman of the board.
Critics of the vote, including Democratic members of Congress who are ex-officio board members, as well as some historians, insist that only Congress can change the name.
The Kennedy Center is the latest building in Washington to have Trump’s name carved into it. He recently had his name added to the building for the U.S. Institute of Peace.
The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to an email message seeking comment Friday.
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