The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has installed signage adding President Trump’s name to the building’s name, following a vote by its board of trustees. The arts center has long been designated as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, making the new branding a major change to a nationally recognized cultural institution. Several members of the Kennedy family and some critics have questioned whether the change is legal and whether the board can rename an institution whose name was set in federal statute.

Highlights:

• Board control: Raw Story reported that President Trump’s handpicked trustees backed the move, with Democratic board members’ objections allegedly muted during the process.
• Kennedy family: Le Monde reported that members of the Kennedy family publicly questioned the legality of adding President Trump’s name to the institution.
• Lawmakers react: Democratic lawmakers told Raw Story they expect a future reversal, while criticizing the move as self-focused and saying it would not endure once political power shifts.
• Conservative critique: National Review argued the change was largely “pointless,” framing it as a distraction rather than a meaningful reform of Washington institutions.
• Arts freedom: The New Yorker described the rename as a break from the center’s memorial purpose and tied its critique to broader concerns about artistic independence and government influence.

Well, I mean, he appointed all the sycophants to the board. - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Perspectives:

• Kennedy Center coverage (NYT): The installation of President Trump’s name on the facade effectively layers a new name onto a site described as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. (nytimes.com)
• Kennedy family members: Some members of the Kennedy family questioned whether adding President Trump’s name is legal, given the institution’s status and naming in federal law. (lemonde.fr)
• Democratic lawmakers: Some Democratic lawmakers portrayed the decision as temporary and said they expect it to be reversed when political control changes. (alternet.org)
• The New Yorker: The magazine argued the renaming undermines the Kennedy Center’s symbolic role and raised concerns about what it says for the arts under political leadership. (newyorker.com)
• National Review: The publication criticized the move as offering little practical value, emphasizing its symbolism over any concrete benefit. (nationalreview.com)

Sources:

• Trump's name added to Kennedy Center, one day after change - lemonde.fr
• Jaw-dropping new target floated in Trump's rebrand crusade - alternet.org
• Kennedy Center, Memorial to JFK, Is Trump’s Now, Too - nytimes.com
• Trump Dishonors the Kennedy Center - newyorker.com
• JFK's Niece Kerry Kennedy Vows to Remove Trump's Name from the Kennedy Center with a 'Pickax' - reddit.com
• Instead of Draining the Swamp, Trump Starts Renaming It After Himself - nationalreview.com