The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a prestigious national cultural institution in Washington, D.C., established by federal law in 1964 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination, was renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center on December 18, 2025, after a controversial board vote led by trustees appointed by President Donald Trump.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the decision, stating that the board—chaired by Trump himself—voted unanimously to adopt the new name "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" in recognition of his efforts to address the venue's financial challenges, oversee physical reconstructions, and enhance its reputation during his second term.

The restructuring began early in 2025 when Trump, upon returning to office, removed previous board members, including those appointed by prior administrations, and installed allies such as Second Lady Usha Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and others, while appointing Ambassador Richard Grenell as president of the center to align programming with his vision.

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Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member, contested the unanimity claim, revealing that the renaming proposal was not on the agenda, she was muted during the virtual meeting when attempting to object, and participants were restricted from voicing opposition, raising procedural concerns.

Kennedy family members and Democratic leaders strongly criticised the move, asserting that federal statute designates the center solely as a memorial to John F. Kennedy and prohibits name changes without congressional approval, prompting speculation over potential legal challenges and underscoring debates about the institution's historical neutrality.

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