"The performance venue has officially been renamed the as of 19 December 2025, per its website, just one day after the in the president's honour. Built as a living monument to the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy after he launched a $30 million fundraising campaign for the Center's construction in 1963, the Kennedy Center's designation as a memorial was signed into law by by President Lyndon B. Johnson . President Trump's name has already been added to the Washington D.C. performing art centre's facade. According to the New York Times, it has been "generally understood" that this power lies with Congress, raising questions of legality. On 18 December, Trump told reporters that he was "surprised" that the board, of which he is chair, moved to change the Kennedy Center's name."
"In February of 2025, Trump abruptly fired several members of the Kennedy Center's board of trustees and named himself the chair, writing a promising to put a halt to "Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth" at the rarified theater. In April of 2025, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts canceled contracts for World Pride-related events in May and June; that August, Trump joked about changing the venue's name in a , writing, "GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER.""
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was formally renamed to include President Trump's name, with the change appearing on the center's website and the facade on 19 December 2025. The center was built as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy after a $30 million fundraising campaign launched in 1963, and its memorial designation was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Questions have arisen about whether the board had authority to rename the memorial or whether that power rests with Congress. Earlier in 2025, Trump fired several board members, named himself chair, canceled World Pride contracts, and vowed to halt "Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth." Trump later said he was "surprised" that the board moved to change the center's name.
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