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US President Donald Trump’s hand-picked board voted Thursday to rename Washington’s premier arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center, the White House said, a move that was quickly criticized as a “disgrace” by the Democratic House leader, who sits on the board.
Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt announced the vote on social media, saying it was because of “the incredible job President Trump did last year to save this building. Not only in terms of rebuilding it, but financially, and in terms of its reputation.”
Trump, a Republican who chairs the board, said at the White House he was “surprised” and “honored” by the vote.
“The board is an important board, they are respected people in this country and I was surprised to be respected by them,” he said.
No authority to do this: Jeffries
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that Trump’s handpicked board does not have the authority to rename the agency without legislative action, “and we will make that clear.” The New York Democrat is a board member because of his position in Congress.
Trump often refers to the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, named after his Democratic predecessor, as the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
Asked on December 7 while walking the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors program if he would rename the place after him, Trump said such a decision would be on board.
Earlier this month, Trump spoke of a “big event” taking place at the “Trump Kennedy Center” before saying, “sorry, the Kennedy Center,” as his audience laughed. He was talking about the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which he participated in.
The name change will not sit well with other members of the Kennedy family.
Maria Shriver, niece of John F. Kennedy, referred to legislation introduced in Congress to rename the Kennedy Center as the Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts as “insane” in a social media post in July.
“It makes my blood boil. It’s so ridiculous, so petty, so small minded,” he wrote. “Really, what is this about? It’s always about something. ‘Let’s get rid of the Rose Garden. Let’s rename the Kennedy Center.’ What’s next?”
The Rose Garden turned into a balcony
Trump earlier this year turned the Rose Garden of the Kennedy era at the White House into a courtyard by removing the grass and laying down paving stones.
Another member of the Kennedy family, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serves in the Trump Cabinet as secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Trump showed little interest in the Kennedy Center during his first term as president, but since returning to office in January he has replaced board members appointed by Democratic presidents with some of his most ardent supporters, who then elected him as board chairman.
He also criticized the plans of the center and the way it looks and vowed to fix both.
Money from Congress
Trump secured more than $250 million from the Republican-controlled Congress to renovate the building.
Attended the opening night of the musical Les Misérablesand most recently served as moderator of the Kennedy Center Honors program after not hosting the show during his first term as president.
The awards show is scheduled to air on CBS and Paramount+ on Dec. 23.
Sales of subscription packages are said to have declined since Trump took over the agency, along with many travel products, including. Hamiltonthey canceled the scheduled run there. Rows upon rows of empty seats were seen in the Concert Hall during the performance of the National Symphony Orchestra.
Other performers, including actress Issa Rae and singer Rhiannon Giddens, canceled scheduled appearances, and Kennedy Center consultants including singer Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming resigned.
