GOP bill seeks to rename Kennedy Center for Trump
Share this @internewscast.com

(The Hill) – A House Republican’s bill would strip former President Kennedy’s name from the Washington institution created in the 35th commander in chief’s honor and instead have it known as the “Trump Center for the Performing Arts.”

The bill, recently introduced by Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.), aims to “designate the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the ‘Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts.'”

Representatives for Onder and the Kennedy Center didn’t immediately return a request for comment about the proposed name change.

In an earlier statement, Onder called Trump “a patron of the arts and a staple of the pop-culture landscape.”

Dubbing the bill the Make Entertainment Great Again (MEGA) Act, a play on Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” Onder said, “I cannot think of a more ubiquitous symbol of American exceptionalism in the arts, entertainment, and popular culture at large than President Trump.”

House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee approved an amendment earlier this month to the interior, environment and related agencies annual spending bill that would rename a space inside the Kennedy Center the prominent Washington arts hub’s famed opera house the “First Lady Melania Trump Opera House.”

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to view opening night of “Les Miserables,” at the Kennedy Center, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) called the potential opera house designation an “excellent way to recognize [Melania Trump’s] support and commitment to promoting the arts.”

The opera house amendment was met with fierce condemnation from Trump critics, including Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy’s 32-year-old grandson.

“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers,” Schlossberg wrote in a social media post. 

“The Trump administration stands for freedom of oppression, not expression,” Schlossberg said.

Trump, in an unprecedented move, overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board and named himself its chair in February, accusing it of being too “woke.”

After touring the Kennedy Center in March, Trump said it was in a state of “tremendous disrepair.”

Rep.-elect Bob Onder (R-Mo.) speaks to reporters outside the AC Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 as newly elected House membersfor the 119th session of Congress arrive for orientation.
Rep.-elect Bob Onder (R-Mo.) speaks to reporters outside the AC Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 as newly elected House membersfor the 119th session of Congress arrive for orientation.

“We’re going to fix it up, but it’s really emblematic of our country,” Trump said at the time.

The Kennedy Center opened its doors to the public in 1971. It describes its namesake Kennedy on its website as a “lifelong supporter and advocate of the arts” who “frequently steered the public discourse toward what he called ‘our contribution to the human spirit.'”

According to the institution, two months after Kennedy’s 1963 assassination, “Congress passed and President Johnson signed into law legislation renaming the National Cultural Center… as a ‘living memorial’ to Kennedy.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Experience the Magic: SCAD Savannah Film Festival Kicks Off with Exciting Opening Night

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Each October, the magic of Hollywood descends upon Savannah,…

Trump Challenges GOP Dynamics Amid Legal Battles and DOJ Decisions

President Trump’s recent series of audacious moves is testing the boundaries within…

Shocking Truth Revealed: Woman’s Fabricated Burglary and Assault Story Unveiled

EL PASO, Texas — On Tuesday, October 21, Maribel Wong, a 52-year-old…

Essential Information on Flu and COVID Vaccines for This Season

Flu season has arrived, marking a crucial time for individuals to take…

Storm Team 3 Forecast: Wet Start to the Week with Cool Temperatures Ahead

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The weather forecast is taking a turn, with rain…

Missing California Girl Disguised: Security Footage Reveals Potential Wig to Conceal Identity

On Friday, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office unveiled new images that…

Illinois Defense Faces Challenges in Away Game Against Washington

In a challenging game for the Illinois Fighting Illini in Seattle, Washington,…

Tennessee Secures Victory Over Kentucky in Thrilling Matchup

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (WATE) — The Vols clinched a victory over Kentucky on…

University of Illinois’ Newman Hall Introduces New Dining Choices Following Health Inspection Alert

The dining facility at Newman Hall, located on the University of Illinois…

Texas Governor Abbott Takes Aim at Professors Promoting Progressive Views

DALLAS — Texas Governor Greg Abbott is intensifying his efforts to eliminate…

ETSU Celebrates Legacy of First African American Students with New Sculpture Unveiling

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — East Tennessee State University (ETSU) proudly introduced five…

Discover the Most Commonly Mispronounced Places in Tennessee: Are You Saying Them Right?

For those venturing into the heart of Tennessee, whether as new residents…