Trump's Name Back on Kennedy Center? Board Votes Again!

In a move set to reignite controversy, the Kennedy Center's board has once again voted to inscribe former President Donald Trump's name onto the national arts landmark. This decision comes less than three months after a federal judge ordered Trump's name removed from the building, escalating an ongoing legal and institutional battle.

The resolution, passed during a board meeting today, proposes a new inscription on the building's facade: "The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated by President Donald Trump." Furthermore, the resolution includes a provision to expand this signage with a third line, "Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund", if a newly established endowment reaches $100 million in donations.

This recent vote, which was reportedly not on the agenda distributed prior to the meeting, saw 20 members vote in favor and 3 against. The dissenting votes came from ex officio members, who serve by virtue of their federal office rather than being appointed by Trump. The majority of the board comprises general trustees handpicked by Trump, who also elected him chair in February 2025.

The board’s latest action is widely expected to prolong the legal skirmishes surrounding Trump's influence over the center. Critics argue it deepens an institutional crisis that has already alienated audiences, artists, and donors since his initial involvement. The meeting also addressed long-standing issues regarding the center's renovation plans. A federal judge had previously ruled that the board failed to adequately examine the consequences of a full shutdown, a point that continues to be a sticking point in the justification for the proposed closure. The decision highlights the persistent efforts to maintain Trump's presence at the prestigious arts institution, regardless of prior court rulings and public backlash.

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