US President Donald Trump shared photos on Friday of marble armrests at Kennedy Center. He said it could soon be installed at the performing arts center. Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Unlike anything ever done or seen before!”
Since taking office in January, Trump has overseen a sweeping overhaul of the Kennedy Center. He replaced board members with allies and named himself chair of the board, asserting control over both administrative and ceremonial aspects of the institution. This year, he hosted the Kennedy Center Honors and unveiled a list of honorees aligned with his preferences.
Why Is Kennedy Center Under Fire?
The most contentious move came when the board voted to add Trump’s name to the building. The institution now bears the official title: “The Donald J. Trump and the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” While Trump officials claimed the vote was unanimous, Representative Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex-officio board member, disputed that claim. Beatty filed a lawsuit challenging the name change, arguing that it corrupts the center into a personal vanity project.
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“Unless and until this Court intervenes, the effort to corrupt the Kennedy Center into a vanity project for Defendant Trump will continue to harm the institution,” Beatty’s lawyers wrote. Despite the controversy, the Kennedy Center signage was updated last week to include Trump’s name, sparking national debate about the future of the historic institution.
Other Changes
Beyond the name change, renovations continue in the East Wing of the Kennedy Center. Trump has highlighted the addition of a new ballroom. Initially estimated at $200 million, the cost has reportedly risen to $400 million. The administration stated that all renovations are funded privately and do not rely on taxpayer dollars, according to Newsweek report.
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Trump’s critics warn that the combination of self-naming and expensive renovations risks turning the Kennedy Center into a symbol of personal aggrandizement rather than a national cultural institution. Meanwhile, supporters say that the changes modernize the facility and enhance its appeal to patrons and performers alike.
