A board of trustees, reshaped by President Donald Trump with his loyalists, took a controversial vote on Thursday to rename the iconic John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The institution will now be known as the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, placing the sitting president's name alongside one of America's most cherished political legacies.
Legal Questions Cloud Swift Rebranding
Within hours of the unanimous board vote, the center's official website was updated to reflect the new name. However, this swift action has ignited a fierce debate over its legality. Legal experts point out that the center was originally named by an act of Congress in 1964, following President John F. Kennedy's assassination. They argue that only Congress holds the formal authority to change that designation.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who serves as an ex officio board member due to his congressional position, immediately challenged the move. He told reporters that legislative action was necessary to address the renaming, stating, "and we're going to make that clear." The board, chaired by Trump himself, did not wait for this congressional debate, proceeding with the immediate rebranding.
White House Celebration vs. Kennedy Family Outrage
The White House welcomed the decision. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the vote on social media, crediting Trump's "unbelievable work" on the center since he returned to office in January. Trump expressed his surprise and honor at the White House, calling the board "most distinguished people in the country."
This narrative was strongly pushed by the center's Vice-President of Public Relations, Roma Daravi. She stated the vote recognized that Trump saved the institution from "financial ruin and physical destruction," claims that have been denied by the venue's previous leadership.
However, the move has not sat well with members of the Kennedy family. Jack Schlossberg, President Kennedy's grandson, disputed the official account on social media platform X, alleging, "Microphones were muted and the board meeting and vote NOT unanimous." He suggested Trump's actions were politically motivated.
Former Congressman Joe Kennedy III, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, was more blunt. He posted, "The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law. It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says."
A Premeditated Move and the Road Ahead
Signs of the impending name change were visible earlier. In December, when asked on a red carpet if he would rename the center, Trump said it would be "up to the board." Earlier this month, he notably referred to a "big event" at the "Trump Kennedy Center" before correcting himself, drawing laughter from his audience.
The controversy now sets the stage for a potential constitutional and political clash. While the Trump-appointed board has acted unilaterally, congressional Democrats are preparing to assert what they believe is their sole legal authority over the name of the national memorial. The saga of the Trump-Kennedy Center is far from over.
