On August 13, 2026, the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted to restore former President Donald Trump's name to the building's exterior, reversing a decision made in 2021 to remove it. The vote was reported by multiple news outlets, though the exact vote count was not immediately disclosed.
The move comes after years of debate over the naming, which was originally removed following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The board's decision is seen as a significant shift in the institution's stance, reflecting changing political dynamics in Washington.
Trump's name will be reinstated on the iconic building along the Potomac River, according to a statement from the Kennedy Center. The statement did not specify a timeline for the physical restoration of the name.
Critics of the decision argue that it politicizes the arts center, while supporters say it acknowledges Trump's contributions to the institution, including his role in hosting events there during his presidency.
