Washington, D.C.: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has been officially renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center after a unanimous decision by its Board of Trustees, according to a statement released on Thursday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the development, saying the decision was taken in recognition of U.S. President Donald Trump’s role in restoring the institution’s financial stability, infrastructure, and public standing.
In a post on social media platform X, Leavitt stated that the board—comprising prominent figures from across sectors—had voted unanimously to rename the cultural landmark. She credited President Trump with safeguarding the center’s future through significant efforts over the past year.
“The Board of the Kennedy Center voted unanimously to honor President Donald J. Trump for his work in revitalizing the institution—physically, financially, and reputationally,” Leavitt wrote. She added that the partnership between the legacies of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Donald Trump would guide the center toward long-term success.
“This decision reflects confidence that the institution will reach new heights of achievement and prominence,” she said.
Confirming the decision, Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi said the board formally approved the new name: The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
According to the spokesperson, the unanimous vote recognized the leadership of the current chairman in preventing what trustees described as both physical deterioration and financial instability at the institution. The renaming, she added, represents bipartisan support for preserving the nation’s premier cultural venue for future generations.
Media reports also noted that President Trump participated remotely in the board meeting during which the vote was conducted. Earlier this year, Trump was elected chairman of the center following the appointment of a newly constituted board.
The president has previously made light-hearted references to the venue as the “Trump Kennedy Center,” a designation that has now been formally adopted following the board’s decision.
The Kennedy Center, long regarded as a cornerstone of American performing arts and cultural expression, now carries the combined legacy of two U.S. presidents, marking a significant shift in the institution’s historical identity.
