President Donald Trump embraced his new role as chairman of the Kennedy Center on Wednesday. He attended the announcement of its annual award recipients and hinted at upcoming building renovations.
Trump skipped the Kennedy Center Honors during his first term after several artists refused to attend in protest. Now, he has replaced the board of trustees with loyalists and taken direct control of the venue’s leadership.
Plans for a Possible Name Change
On Truth Social, Trump teased a possible name change for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He also promised to restore the venue’s former prestige.
“GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS,” Trump wrote. He said the site was being upgraded to bring it back to “the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.” He added, “It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!!”
Kennedy Center Confirms Renovation Plans
The Kennedy Center said it was “honored” to host Trump for the third time since January. The venue also hinted that Trump would announce a major construction project.
“Thanks to his advocacy, our beautiful building will undergo renovations to restore its prestige and grandeur,” the statement read. “We are also excited to be announcing this year’s INCREDIBLE slate of Kennedy Center Honorees.”
During a March visit, Trump complained the building was in “tremendous disrepair.”
Selection Process Remains Unclear
It is unclear how this year’s honorees were chosen. Traditionally, a bipartisan advisory committee selects them. Past recipients have included George Balanchine, Tom Hanks, Aretha Franklin, and Stephen Sondheim.
The Kennedy Center’s social media offered a teaser: “Coming Soon ... A country music icon, an Englishman, a New York City Rock band, a dance Queen and a multi-billion dollar Actor walk into the Kennedy Center Opera House ...”
Trump’s Past Suggestions for Honorees
Trump has previously suggested honoring singer-songwriter Paul Anka and actor Sylvester Stallone, one of the Hollywood ambassadors he named earlier this year. Anka, who was supposed to perform “My Way” at Trump’s first inauguration, withdrew at the last minute.
History of Presidential Attendance
The Kennedy Center Honors began in 1978. Presidents from both parties usually attended, even when they disagreed with honorees. For example, Republican George W. Bush honored Barbra Streisand, and Democrat Bill Clinton honored Charlton Heston.
In 2017, after Norman Lear refused to attend in protest of Trump’s arts funding cuts, Trump and Melania skipped the ceremony for the rest of his first term. Honorees during that time included Cher, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Sally Field—frequent Trump critics.
Trump’s Stronger Grip in Second Term
Since returning to office, Trump has tightened control over the Kennedy Center. Besides leading the board, he has vowed to influence programming and end drag performances.
This has drawn criticism from many artists. In March, “Hamilton” producers canceled a planned 2026 staging at the venue. Actor Issa Rae, singer Rhiannon Giddens, and author Louise Penny also pulled out of events.
Renaming Efforts Spark Controversy
In July, House Republicans added a measure to a spending bill to rename the Kennedy Center Opera House after Melania Trump. The change has not yet happened. Separately, some lawmakers proposed renaming the entire center after Trump, which Maria Shriver, President Kennedy’s niece, called “insane.”
Recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors receive a medallion on a rainbow ribbon, representing the diversity of performing arts. In April, the center changed its exterior lighting from rainbow colors to a permanent red, white, and blue display.