Donald J Trump and the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts: Name Change Sparks Controversy and Legal Challenges
In December 2025, the board of the Kennedy Center voted unanimously to add Donald Trump's name to the center, rebranding it as the Donald J Trump and the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. This decision followed a revision of bylaws in May limiting voting rights to trustees appointed by Donald Trump, excluding ex-officio members from voting or counting toward quorum.
Donald Trump became chair of the Kennedy Center board in February 2025, after which he purged existing members and installed allies, including Ric Grenell—former ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence—as president of the center. Grenell led the center's direction in support of Trump's agenda.
The Kennedy Center's board currently includes 34 presidentially appointed members and 23 ex-officio members such as the DC mayor, the head of the Library of Congress, and Senate majority and minority leaders. Legal scholars have expressed concerns that the bylaw changes may breach the Kennedy Center's charter, although center officials maintain these bylaws reflect longstanding precedent regarding ex-officio voting rights.
The name change has led to protests and cancellations of bookings at the center. Joyce Beatty filed a lawsuit to reverse the name change, arguing it requires an Act of Congress, and other lawmakers have vowed to work towards overturning the decision.
The Kennedy Center Honors ratings on CBS dropped to a record low of 3.01 million viewers, a 25% decline from the previous year, despite Trump hosting the event with appearances by Gloria Gaynor, Kiss, and George Strait.
Following the death of Tatiana Schlossberg, John F Kennedy's granddaughter, who died at age 35 from leukemia, Trump posted statements on Truth Social criticizing the Kennedy family, further fueling the controversy surrounding the center.
