The White House has announced that the Kennedy Centre, named after the late US President John F. Kennedy, will be renamed the “Trump-Kennedy Centre” following a vote by its board, which was hand-picked by President Donald Trump earlier this year.
According to the White House, the decision reflects President Trump’s growing influence in Washington since returning to office for a second term. The renaming comes amid other ambitious proposals linked to him, including plans to demolish the White House East Wing to construct a $400 million ballroom and the proposed building of a large triumphal arch.
Reacting to the development, Trump told reporters he was both surprised and honoured by the decision, despite having previously floated the idea of renaming the prominent performing arts venue.
“I was surprised by it, I was honoured by it,” he said.
Trump, who is now the head of the Kennedy Centre board, appointed himself to the position after removing Democratic members shortly after taking office in January.
The initial announcement was made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a post on X, where she stated that the board had voted unanimously in favour of the name change. She said the decision was in recognition of what she described as the President’s “unbelievable work” in saving the building over the past year.
“Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future,” Leavitt wrote.
The Kennedy Centre was originally named in honour of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
