The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will now carry the names of two American presidents following a unanimous vote by its board of trustees to rename the institution “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The decision was announced on December 18, 2025, marking a historic change for the iconic Washington, D.C., cultural venue. The renaming reflects the board’s recognition of Chairman Donald J. Trump’s role in what it described as a major turnaround for the institution.
According to Roma Daravi, Vice President of Public Relations at the Kennedy Center, the board credited Trump with saving the organization from “financial ruin and physical destruction.” Speaking to Breitbart News during the Kennedy Center Honors, President Trump said the venue had been “really enhanced” and emphasized that his administration had saved it.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the board’s decision in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the vote was unanimous and citing the work President Trump had done to restore the building. Leavitt said the improvements extended beyond reconstruction to include financial stability and the institution’s reputation, adding that the renaming honored both Trump and President John F. Kennedy.
The board framed the renaming as a reflection of “unequivocal bipartisan support” for the nation’s cultural center and said the decision follows nearly a year of significant changes at the institution.
Earlier in the year, Trump signaled a shift in leadership and direction for the Kennedy Center. In a February post on Truth Social, he said he intended to make the venue “GREAT AGAIN” and announced the termination of several members of the Board of Trustees who did not share his vision for a “Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” He criticized drag shows that he said were “specifically targeting our youth” and described the Kennedy Center as “an American Jewel” that should reflect “the brightest STARS on its stage.”
The Kennedy Center has reported increased public engagement in recent months. In March 2025, the venue broke its all-time attendance record for a public event with its “EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky” fireworks show, which drew more than 11,000 attendees. A representative for the Kennedy Center said 76% of those in attendance had never previously visited the venue. The event was open to the public and featured interactive experiences and a 360-degree rooftop view.
The newly renamed Trump–Kennedy Center is expected to continue hosting performances and public programming as the institution moves forward under its expanded legacy.
READ NEXT: Trump Promises & Demands Major Shift In Kennedy Center Programming
