The Kennedy Center, a prominent performing arts venue in Washington, D.C., is facing scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers over its recent decision to rename itself in honor of President Donald Trump. A group of Democratic board members, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, assert that the name change is illegal without congressional approval, citing federal law that designates the center as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy.
On Thursday, the venue’s board, which includes several Trump supporters, voted to rename it the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. It remains unclear whether Trump participated in the vote, and staff began the process of adding his name to the building on Friday.
In a statement, the Democratic board members expressed their concern, stating, “Beyond using the Kennedy Center to reward his friends and political allies, President Trump is now attempting to affix his name to yet another public institution without legal authority.” They emphasized that the law prohibits changing the center’s name without action from Congress.
Maria Shriver, niece of John F. Kennedy and former First Lady of California, voiced her disapproval on social media, stating it is “beyond comprehension” for Trump to seek to rename a memorial dedicated to her uncle. She criticized the action, asserting, “It is not acceptable to add his name in front of President Kennedy’s name.”
The legal authority regarding the name change remains ambiguous. Neither the founding law of the Kennedy Center nor subsequent legislation provides a clear answer on whether the board can rename the institution. The board has undergone changes, with Trump supporters replacing trustees appointed by former presidents.
Joe Kennedy III, JFK’s great-nephew, echoed concerns about the legitimacy of the name change, asserting, “It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”
Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty alleged that during the virtual meeting where the vote occurred, she was muted when attempting to voice her opposition. She described the incident as another example of the Trump administration’s efforts to evade legal scrutiny and suppress public discourse. “I was muted each time I tried to speak,” Beatty remarked, emphasizing that participants were not allowed to express their concerns during the meeting.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center, Roma Daravi, responded to these allegations, stating that all board members were invited to attend the meeting in person and that virtual access was provided to non-voting members, including Beatty.
Trump, when approached by reporters about the name change, expressed surprise, although he had previously indicated interest in adding his name to the center. As of now, there has been no response from the White House regarding the situation.
The Democratic board members emphasized their commitment to holding the Trump administration accountable, labeling the name change as indicative of corruption.
As this story develops, questions remain about the legal implications of the Kennedy Center’s decision and the potential for congressional intervention.
