Republicans are advancing a proposal to rename the Kennedy Center Opera House to the 'First Lady Melania Trump Opera House'. This amendment was approved by the House Appropriations Committee along party lines and now requires full House approval. Representative Mike Simpson emphasized the recognition of the first lady’s commitment to the arts, while Democrat Representative Chellie Pingree criticized the move as a show of Trump's control over the Kennedy Center. Trump has appointed himself chairman and replaced longtime board members with his own appointees.
Representative Mike Simpson, an Idaho-based Republican who introduced the amendment, said via a statement following the vote: "This is an excellent way to recognise [the first lady's] support and commitment to promoting the arts."
Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine, a Democrat on the House subcommittee, opposed the amendment and called it yet "another assault in this whole lineup of the president taking control of the Kennedy Center".
At the start of his non-consecutive second term, Trump was voted chair of the performing arts centre after appointing himself in the position.
After he vowed to fire members of the board of trustees, the board is now made up entirely of Trump appointees.
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