The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has become the center of a new political controversy after adding Donald Trump's name to its building, following approval by the board of directors, which Trump himself appointed.
A new wave of political drama erupted in the U.S. after the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Washington, D.C., installed the name of Donald Trump, the U.S. president, onto its building, based on a resolution approved by the board of directors that Trump himself appointed.
On Friday morning, a large blue tarp was erected in front of the building while workers installed scaffolding. The phrase "The Donald" was affixed to the wall near the building's entrance, replacing the original naming after John F. Kennedy, the late Democratic president. This change made the full name of the venue "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." Trump, a Republican, also serves as the chairman of the center's board.
However, this decision faced strong opposition from Democratic politicians, including some members of Congress who serve as ex officio board members, as well as many historians. They insisted that the board lacks legal authority to change the building's name.
Ray Smock, a former historian for the House of Representatives, stated in an email:
"The Kennedy Center was named by law. To change the name, the 1964 law must be amended. The board is not a legislative body; that authority lies with Congress."
Congress designated the Kennedy Center in 1964 as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy, one year after his assassination. The law explicitly prohibits the board from renaming the building as a memorial to anyone else or adding any other person's name to the exterior. Sources also report that some Kennedy family members disagree with the name change.
The Kennedy Center is the latest Washington building to have Trump's name added, following a recent addition of his name to the U.S. Institute of Peace building.
As of now, the Kennedy Center has not issued any official statement regarding the matter.
:AP
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