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Democratic representative challenges Kennedy Center name change
Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit to reverse the recent decision to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the Trump-Kennedy Center, arguing the move violates federal law.
Legal basis for the lawsuit
Beatty, a Democratic member of the Kennedy Center's board by congressional appointment, contends that renaming the institution requires an act of Congress. She cites the center's original designation as a "living memorial" to President John F. Kennedy, established by law after his assassination in 1963.
The lawsuit describes the renaming as an overreach by President Donald Trump and his allies, stating, "in scenes more reminiscent of authoritarian regimes than the American republic-the sitting President and his handpicked loyalists renamed this storied center after President Trump."
Board vote and Beatty's opposition
Last week, the Kennedy Center's board, now dominated by Trump appointees, voted to add the president's name to the institution. Beatty, who participated in the meeting remotely, claims she was muted when she attempted to voice her objections.
The center's website and exterior signage now reflect the new name, "The Trump Kennedy Center."
White House and Trump's role
In a statement to the BBC, White House spokesperson Liz Huston defended the decision, asserting that Trump "stepped up" to revitalize the Kennedy Center by securing $257 million in federal funding for renovations, modernizing the facility, and eliminating what she described as "divisive woke programming."
"As a result, the Board of the Kennedy Center voted unanimously to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center-a historic move that marks a new era of success, prestige, and restored grandeur for one of America's most iconic cultural institutions."
Liz Huston, White House spokesperson
Trump's influence over the board
Since taking office, Trump has reshaped the Kennedy Center's leadership, replacing multiple board members with allies. His close adviser, Richard Grenell, was appointed board president, and Trump himself was named chairman. According to the center's website, 34 of the 57 trustees are now Trump appointees, with the remaining 23 designated by law.
Public and Kennedy family reaction
The name change has drawn sharp criticism, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the Kennedy Center has been a landmark since its construction began in the 1950s. Several members of the Kennedy family have publicly condemned the move.
Joe Kennedy III, a former U.S. representative and grandnephew of President Kennedy, argued that the center's name is protected by federal law, comparing it to the Lincoln Memorial. "It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says," he wrote on social media.
