The ongoing controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has intensified following a recent vote to add former President Donald Trump’s name to the institution. On December 18, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the board had reached a “unanimous” decision to rename the landmark as the “Trump–Kennedy Center.” This announcement has raised significant questions about the legitimacy of the process, particularly from members of the board and descendants of former President John F. Kennedy.
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of JFK, publicly disputed the White House’s portrayal of the vote. In a post on social media platform X, he claimed, “Microphones were muted and the board meeting and vote NOT unanimous.” Schlossberg suggested that the push to rename the center may have been influenced by personal motivations linked to his own congressional campaign, stating, “Our campaign represents everything Trump can’t stand or defeat.”
Concerns Over Board’s Transparency
The board’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty, a member of the Kennedy Center board. Beatty confirmed Schlossberg’s claims of a lack of transparency, stating, “This was not unanimous. I was muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition to this move.” She characterized the situation as censorship and emphasized that the issue was not on the agenda for the meeting, stating, “This is censorship.”
Beatty further articulated that the renaming process should involve public input, considering the Kennedy Center was established by Congress. She expressed concern that Congress was being sidelined in a decision that ought to be discussed openly. “This center, the Kennedy Center, was created by the Congress,” she said. “I think it’s important for us to know that this is just another attempt to evade the law and not let the people have a say.”
Trump’s Influence on the Kennedy Center
Throughout his second term, Trump has voiced a desire to influence the Kennedy Center’s legacy. Earlier in 2025, he appointed himself chairman of the board, replacing existing members with individuals aligned with his political views. In July, Republican Representative Bob Onder proposed legislation to rename the building the “Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts,” although this bill never progressed in Congress.
In previous statements, Schlossberg has argued that the renaming contravenes federal law, specifically citing Public Law 88-260, which governs the Kennedy Center’s status as a memorial. He stated, “Plain reading of the statute makes clear — YOU CAN’T DO THAT.” Schlossberg views the attempt to rename the center as not merely a legal issue, but a deeply personal one. He has accused Trump of trying to overshadow historical significance, stating, “Trump is obsessed with being bigger than JFK… It doesn’t.”
As the renaming process advances, the public remains in a state of uncertainty regarding the vote’s legitimacy and the broader implications for the Kennedy Center. Questions linger about the transparency of the board’s actions and whether further scrutiny will emerge as a result.
