Kennedy Center to be Renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, White House Announces

Washington, Dec 2025 : The board of the Kennedy Center has unanimously voted to rename the iconic performing arts institution as the Trump-Kennedy Center, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Tuesday.

Leavitt described the board as “highly respected,” consisting of “some of the most successful people from all parts of the world.” She said the decision was made in recognition of President Donald Trump’s role in stabilizing and restoring the center over the past year.

“They have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building,” Leavitt said in a statement on X.

She emphasized that Trump’s contributions were seen as extending beyond the physical renovation of the center to include financial management and enhancing its public reputation. “Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation,” Leavitt added.

The press secretary congratulated Trump on the renaming and highlighted its connection to the legacy of former President John F. Kennedy, after whom the center was originally named. “Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future,” she said.

Leavitt also expressed confidence that the newly renamed institution would reach new heights, stating, “The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur.” However, the announcement did not specify when the name change would formally take effect or whether additional approvals would be required.

The Kennedy Center, located along the Potomac River in Washington, is one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions, hosting performances in music, theatre, dance, and opera. It has long served as a national venue for the performing arts, attracting both artists and audiences from across the globe.

Established as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination, the center opened to the public in 1971. Traditionally, it has been overseen by a board of trustees and supported through a combination of federal funding, private donations, and revenue from performances and events.

The renaming marks a major shift in the institution’s identity, linking it directly with a sitting or former president while maintaining its historical association with Kennedy. The decision underscores the White House’s acknowledgment of Trump’s reported efforts in revitalizing one of the country’s most prestigious cultural landmarks.