Democrats, historians and Kennedy family question legality as Trump backed board adopts new name without congressional approval.
A board appointed by President Donald Trump has voted to rename Washington’s leading performing arts venue the Trump Kennedy Center, a move that has sparked legal concerns and fierce political backlash.
The White House confirmed the decision on Thursday, saying the board approved the name change despite arguments that only Congress has the authority to rename the institution.
Congress named the centre after President John F Kennedy in 1964 following his assassination. Former Senate historian Donald A Ritchie said because Congress originally named the centre, it would be up to lawmakers to “amend the law.”
Ritchie added that while Trump and others could “informally” refer to the venue by another name, they could not do so in a way “that would (legally) stick.”
Despite the objections, the board immediately changed the branding on the centre’s website to reflect the new name.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said legislative action was required. “Only Congress can rename the Kennedy Center,” said the New York Democrat, who serves on the board as an ex officio member.
Roma Daravi, a spokesperson for the centre, said the board voted unanimously to adopt the name The Donald J Trump and The John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the vote on social media, attributing it to the “unbelievable work” she said Trump has done on the centre since returning to office in January.
Trump, a Republican who also serves as board chairman, said he was honoured by the decision. “The board is a very distinguished board, most distinguished people in the country, and I was surprised by it and I was honored by it,” he said at the White House.
The vote has angered members of the Kennedy family. Maria Shriver described the move as “beyond comprehension” and “beyond wild,” adding, “It is not” acceptable. Her brother, Tim Shriver, called the renaming an “insult to a great president.”
Republicans largely welcomed the decision. Senator Lindsey Graham called it a “well deserved honor,” saying Trump had “poured his heart and soul into refurbishing and revitalizing” the institution.
Democrats on the board denounced the vote. Representative Joyce Beatty said she was muted during the meeting when she tried to raise objections, describing the move as “just another attempt to evade the law and not let the people have a say.”
Since returning to office, Trump has replaced board members appointed by Democratic presidents with loyal supporters and has criticised the centre’s past programming and appearance, pledging sweeping changes.
Although more than $250 million has been secured from Congress for renovations, subscription sales have reportedly declined, touring productions have cancelled appearances and several consultants and performers have resigned since Trump took control of the centre.