President of the United States Trump once again stirred political and cultural controversy in Washington after approving the renaming of the iconic Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The institution will now officially be known as the Trump-Kennedy Center, following a unanimous decision by its executive board, currently chaired by Trump himself.

The announcement was made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said the move reflects Trump’s personal commitment to reshaping the country’s most prominent performing arts venue.

Originally opened in 1971 to honor former President John F. Kennedy, the center has long stood as a national symbol of American culture.

According to Leavitt, Trump believes the institution had lost direction before his return to office in January. “President Trump stepped in to rescue and modernize the Kennedy Center.

Q: What's your reaction to the Kennedy Center being renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center?

Trump: The board is most distinguished people in the country. I was surprised by it

(Trump is chair of the board, which he appointed & stocked with allies & donors)pic.twitter.com/rXWXJgKIdx

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) December 18, 2025

This new name represents a historic partnership between two presidential legacies,” she said in a public statement.

The name of the Kennedy Center is enshrined in federal law, meaning the change must be approved by the US Congress. With Republicans currently holding a majority, administration officials expect the measure to pass without major resistance.

Trump has previously hinted at renaming the center. He last visited the venue on December 5, when it hosted the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host alongside Mexico and Canada.

Trump’s alliances and his own victories

After returning to power, Trump dismissed the previous board of directors and replaced it with political allies before appointing himself chairman. He then announced plans to eliminate what he described as “woke ideology” from the center’s programming and pledged a sweeping overhaul of its artistic direction.

The Kennedy Center has since undergone rapid changes. At the most recent Kennedy Honors ceremony, Trump acted as host and personally awarded honors to figures such as Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, and the rock band Kiss, breaking with decades of institutional tradition.

Trump’s cultural campaign extends well beyond the Kennedy Center. He has also renamed the United States Institute of Peace after himself and ordered a comprehensive review of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibitions to ensure they align with his historical and ideological views.

Controversies with Biden, Trump, and Republicans

One of the most controversial initiatives was the creation of a Presidential Walk of Fame inside the White House. New plaques beneath the portraits of former presidents include sharply critical language, particularly targeting Democrats Joe Biden and Barack Obama.

Biden’s plaque labels him “the worst president in US history” and replaces his portrait with an automatic pen, suggesting he lacked awareness of the documents he signed.

Obama’s inscription calls him “one of the most divisive figures in American history” and prominently features his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, echoing rhetoric Trump has used in the past.

The walk also includes commentary on Bill Clinton, praising his economic record “despite scandals,” and Ronald Reagan, whom Trump hails as the victor of the Cold War and an ideological predecessor to his movement.

Together, these measures underscore Trump’s effort to imprint his legacy on Washington’s cultural and institutional landscape.

In addition to renaming buildings, he has ordered the construction of a massive ballroom inside the White House, added gold-themed decorations, and displayed portraits of himself while still in office, breaking long-standing customs.

The renaming of the Trump–Kennedy Center has thus become anothe flashpoint in America’s ongoing cultural and political divide, once again placing the Krennedy name — and Trump’s vision for the United States — at the center of national debate