The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees reportedly voted unanimously on Thursday to rename the iconic performing arts institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” according to an announcement from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who credited President Donald Trump with rescuing the landmark from serious decline.
Leavitt shared the news in a post on X, describing the board as “highly respected” and made up of “some of the most successful people from all parts of the world.” She said the decision was a direct result of what she called President Trump’s “unbelievable work” over the past year to save the Kennedy Center.
“I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center … have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center,” Leavitt wrote. She said the move reflects Trump’s role not only in the building’s physical reconstruction, but also in stabilizing its finances and restoring its reputation.
“Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation,” Leavitt continued. She offered congratulations to both President Trump and President John F. Kennedy, saying the pairing would represent “a truly great team long into the future.”
“The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur,” Leavitt added, predicting a strong future for the institution under its new name.
The announcement was quickly confirmed by Kennedy Center officials. Roma Daravi, the vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, issued a statement backing Leavitt’s account and emphasizing the significance of the board’s decision.
“The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to name the institution The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” Daravi said. She explained that the vote was meant to recognize the role the current chairman played in preserving the institution.
“The unanimous vote recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction,” Daravi said. She added that the new Trump-Kennedy Center name reflects “the unequivocal bipartisan support for America’s cultural center for generations to come.”
The Kennedy Center, long regarded as the nation’s premier venue for the performing arts, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including financial pressures and concerns about infrastructure. Supporters of the renaming argue that Trump’s leadership reversed that trajectory, putting the institution on firmer footing and restoring confidence in its future.
By combining the names of Trump and Kennedy, the board signaled its intention to honor both the original legacy of the center and what it sees as a successful modern revival. Advocates of the move say it highlights Trump’s influence beyond politics and into the cultural realm, crediting him with ensuring the survival and continued prominence of a national institution.
The unanimous vote underscores the board’s belief that the changes implemented over the past year warranted permanent recognition. With the renaming now official, supporters say the Trump-Kennedy Center is positioned to enter a new era of stability, prestige, and growth as America’s cultural centerpiece.
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