Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, Leavitt says
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President Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7 in Washington, DC. Photo: Allison Robbert/Getty Images
The Kennedy Center board unanimously voted to rename the performing arts venue the "Trump-Kennedy Center," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday.
- The board's effort will likely hit hurdles — and require an act of Congress to change the name.
The big picture: Exerting his influence over the iconic institution has been one part of Trump's push to reinvent D.C. — which includes putting his name on buildings.
Driving the news: "Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future!" Leavitt wrote in an X post.
Reality check: The name of the building is set by law.
- The board is likely to see legal pushback to any attempt to unilaterally rename it.
- The statutes governing the center's creation state that "no additional memorials or plaques in the nature of memorials shall be designated or installed in the public areas of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts."
The intrigue: A White House account shared what appeared to be a new logo for the Trump-Kennedy Center on X Thursday evening.
- The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' Thursday evening request asking whether they plan to make this the official emblem for the center's rebrand.
Zoom in: Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center's vice president of public relations, said in a statement provided to Axios that the Board of Trustees voted to name the institution "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
- Daravi added, "The new Trump Kennedy Center reflects the unequivocal bipartisan support for America's cultural center for generations to come."
Context: Trump, who had a tense relationship with the Kennedy Center during his first term, dismissed members of its board earlier this year. In February, he said he had been unanimously elected chair.
- The board of trustees includes Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and second lady Usha Vance, among other administration allies.
Friction point: Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio member of the board, said her microphone was muted, preventing her from voicing her opposition.
- Jack Schlossberg, JFK's grandson, wrote on X, "Microphones were muted," adding, "vote NOT unanimous."
Catch up quick: A House Republican introduced a bill earlier this year to rename the center after Trump.
- Schlossberg slammed efforts to rename the building after Trump, saying his administration "stands for freedom of oppression, not expression."
Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.), Robert F. Kennedy's grandson, wrote on X that the "Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law.
- He added, "It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says."
What he's saying: Trump said during an executive order signing ceremony Thursday that he was "honored" by the vote from the board, which he described as the "most distinguished people in the country."
Go deeper: Trump to host Kennedy Center Honors, contemplates celebrating himself
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
