The Kennedy Center’s long-standing Christmas Eve jazz concert has been canceled by its host, Chuck Redd, due to the addition of Donald Trump’s name to the venue. The White House announced last week that the building’s facade now reads “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” This decision has been met with controversy, as scholars claim it violates existing law that prevents the board of trustees from designating the center as a memorial to anyone else. Several artists have withdrawn from performances at the Kennedy Center since Trump’s return to office, and Kennedy’s niece, Kerry Kennedy, has pledged to remove Trump’s name once he leaves office.
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A planned Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center has been canceled by host Chuck Redd, following the White House’s announcement to add President Donald Trump’s name to the building’s facade. The president’s handpicked board approved this decision, which violates the law that established the center as a memorial to John F. Kennedy. Redd, who has hosted the holiday “Jazz Jams” since 2006, made the decision after seeing the name change, while the Kennedy Center has yet to comment. Numerous artists have canceled performances in protest of the changes since Trump returned to office.
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Ohio Democrat sues to remove Trump’s name from Kennedy Center. This whole situation definitely sparks a variety of reactions, doesn’t it? It seems Rep. Joyce Beatty is taking a stand, and the core of the issue boils down to the legality of adding Trump’s name in the first place.
The installation of Trump’s name feels like vandalism to some. There’s a strong sentiment that this move was essentially unauthorized, and that the name change, especially given the official designation of the Kennedy Center, was an overreach. The fact that the initial action seemingly bypassed proper channels and disregarded the established naming conventions of the Kennedy Center is at the heart of the legal argument.… Continue reading
Senator Chris Van Hollen has publicly denounced the Kennedy Center’s renaming to include President Donald Trump, calling the move a “desecration” and vowing to reverse it. The senator intends to introduce an amendment to the interior appropriations bill when Congress reconvenes, aiming to remove Trump’s name from the center. This follows the addition of Trump’s name by the Kennedy Center’s board, sparking criticism from Democrats and Kennedy family members. Critics argue the board’s action is unauthorized and that Trump doesn’t support the arts.
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Following the addition of President Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center, several members of the Kennedy family have publicly voiced their disapproval. Kerry Kennedy announced plans to physically remove the added lettering, while Maria Shriver criticized the move, suggesting it does not equate to greatness. Concerns have also been raised about the legality of the renaming, citing a law that restricts the addition of memorials or plaques. Furthermore, Representative Joyce Beatty has claimed that the vote to add Trump’s name was not unanimous and that she and others were silenced during the conference call.
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Ohio Dem on Kennedy Center board call says she was muted: Renaming ‘was not unanimous’ – it’s a situation that has many people, myself included, raising an eyebrow. It seems we’re dealing with a familiar pattern: dissent is stifled, and claims of consensus, even when shaky, are made. The Ohio Democrat’s experience, where she says she was muted on the call, is the core of this discussion. And then the GOP’s claiming of unanimity? Well, that just adds fuel to the fire. It’s a move that echoes the playbook of silencing opposing voices and then painting a picture that’s far from the truth.… Continue reading
In a move drawing sharp criticism, the board of the Kennedy Center voted to rename the performing arts center as the Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. This decision, spearheaded by President Trump, who chairs the board, sparked outrage from Democrats who argue the board overstepped its legal authority. Despite the controversy, the board swiftly updated the center’s branding online to reflect the new name. The change has also drawn the ire of Kennedy family members, and has caused concern with some performers and subscription holders.
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In response to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s claim of a unanimous board vote, Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board, has accused the White House of misrepresentation. Beatty stated she was muted during a call where she intended to voice opposition to renaming the center after President Donald Trump. Beatty asserted that the renaming was not on the agenda and that she was censored, calling the alleged unanimous vote a false depiction of the situation. Critics of the proposed name change have also noted that the move may violate a federal law preventing additional memorials within the center, which was dedicated as a memorial to the late President John F. Kennedy.
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On August 13, 2025, during the Kennedy Center Honors nominations, the White House announced the Kennedy Center would be renamed the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” This decision, made by a board appointed by President Trump, was attributed to Trump’s efforts in “saving the building,” despite reports of declining ticket sales and staffing. However, the renaming may face legal challenges due to U.S. code restrictions on memorial installations, which would require Congressional approval. This move follows Trump’s previous actions, including removing existing board members, signaling the change, and utilizing the center for various events throughout the year.
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The Kennedy Center is facing a significant decline in ticket sales, exceeding even the negative impact of the global pandemic, according to a former staff member. This downturn is attributed to the new management’s actions and rhetoric, coupled with the potential loss of donors due to the organization’s alignment with right-wing cultural initiatives. Former President Michael Kaiser noted that this decline in ticket sales will likely result in a shortfall in future fundraising revenue, as ticket buyers are crucial for securing individual donations. The Center had a robust base of 40,000 individual donors during Kaiser’s tenure.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood