It was called the Kennedy Center, but 3 different presidents shaped it

The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has been renamed to honour two presidents—Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy. The change follows a unanimous vote by the centre’s board, chaired by Trump, and was announced by the White House on 18 December 2025. Workers have already begun updating the building’s signage to reflect the new title: The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Performing Arts.

The idea for a national cultural centre first took shape in 1955 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Three years later, Congress passed an act to establish the venue, requiring it to host diverse performances and educational programmes. In 1962, a high-profile fundraiser for the project drew major artists, with Leonard Bernstein leading the event.

The centre finally opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President Kennedy, who had been assassinated eight years earlier. Kennedy saw the arts as vital to American influence during the Cold War. His successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, expanded the centre’s mission through his Great Society programmes, shaping it into a hub for both elite performances and public engagement. The latest name change, however, has sparked debate. Some lawmakers insist that renaming a federally funded institution requires Congressional approval. Critics also note the tension in the centre’s dual role—balancing its status as a prestigious arts palace with its mandate to remain accessible to all Americans.

The renamed centre now carries the legacies of two very different presidents. While the building’s new signage is being installed, the legal and political discussions over the decision continue. The change marks the first time the Kennedy Center has officially included another president’s name since its founding.