On Thursday, the White House formally announced that the board governing the renowned national performing arts institution had reached a unanimous decision to alter its official designation, changing the prestigious name of the Kennedy Center to the Trump Kennedy Center. This declared consensus was swiftly reflected in the organization’s online presence, as its official website was updated to display the revised title, symbolizing the start of a new administrative chapter and signaling the institution’s transition into a rebranded era under the current leadership.
The physical manifestation of the rebranding followed promptly afterward. By Friday, workers had affixed new exterior signage to the building’s prominent facade, clearly bearing the inscription, “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” This adjusted title sought to preserve the legacy of President John F. Kennedy while simultaneously acknowledging the contributions attributed to Donald J. Trump, thereby merging two political eras within one cultural landmark. The modified signage now stands as both a literal and symbolic marker of a contested but momentous institutional change that has stirred considerable public conversation.
In a statement distributed to the media outlet *Business Insider*, Roma Daravi, who serves as the center’s vice president of public relations, elaborated on the reasoning behind the board’s action. Daravi expressed that the unanimous vote was conceived as formal recognition of what the board viewed as the Chairman’s decisive role in steering the institution away from what she described as the brink of both financial insolvency and physical deterioration. She emphasized that the rebranded identity — “The Trump Kennedy Center” — represented, in her words, the demonstration of robust, unequivocal, and explicitly bipartisan solidarity surrounding what she called America’s foremost cultural institution, envisioning it as a beacon for artistic achievement that would continue to inspire generations of audiences and creators alike.
Donald Trump, upon learning of the renaming, expressed that he was “honored” by the decision, offering a brief but approving acknowledgment of the board’s move. However, that sentiment was far from universally shared. Prominent Democratic lawmakers as well as several members of the Kennedy family quickly voiced their disapproval, characterizing the decision as politically motivated and fundamentally at odds with the center’s historic intent. Among the most outspoken was Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, who publicly disputed the White House’s depiction of consensus. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Schlossberg asserted that the official claim of unanimity was inaccurate, contending that microphones had been muted during the meeting and that the actual vote had not been unanimous. His remarks suggested procedural irregularities and cast doubt on the transparency of the process.
Echoing Schlossberg’s dismay, Maria Shriver — Kennedy’s niece and a well-known journalist — also took to X to voice her firm opposition, declaring that such a renaming was “not acceptable.” Her message underscored the sense of familial and historical affront felt by those who regard the Kennedy Center as a living monument to public service and the arts rather than a personal tribute to any contemporary political figure.
In addition to these familial criticisms, six Democratic lawmakers jointly issued a carefully worded public statement reinforcing their concern about the legitimacy of the move. They accused former President Trump of attempting “to affix his name to yet another public institution without possessing the proper legal authority to do so.” This statement broadened the debate beyond questions of aesthetic branding or symbolic gesture, framing it instead as a matter of law, governance, and the ethical stewardship of national cultural heritage.
When contacted for clarification or further comment regarding the controversies surrounding the decision, the White House declined to respond, leaving the public and press without additional insight into the internal discussions or procedural details behind this contentious change.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-kennedy-center-changes-history-2025-12
