Key Takeaways:
- The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts has been renamed to include Donald Trump’s name, sparking backlash from performers and artists.
- Some artists, including folk singer Kristy Lee, are considering canceling their scheduled performances at the center in protest.
- Others are choosing to continue with their performances as an act of resistance to Trump’s influence.
- The renaming of the center has been met with criticism from Democrats, historians, and Kennedy’s relatives, who argue that it requires an act of Congress.
- The center’s board, which is now stacked with Trump loyalists, voted to add Trump’s name to the center’s title, despite concerns about the legality of the move.
Introduction to the Controversy
The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, a storied institution in the nation’s capital, has been embroiled in controversy after Donald Trump’s name was added to its title. The move has sparked outrage among performers, artists, and Kennedy’s relatives, who argue that the renaming is a partisan power grab that undermines the center’s nonpartisan mission. Folk singer Kristy Lee, who is scheduled to perform at the center on January 14, is in talks to cancel her appearance, according to her spokesperson. Other artists have also expressed their discontent, with one performer describing the renaming as a "permanent stain" on the center.
The Backlash from Artists
The backlash from artists has been swift and severe, with many expressing their disappointment and outrage at the renaming of the center. One performer, who spoke to NOTUS on the condition of anonymity, lamented the fact that the Kennedy Center, which was once a symbol of unity and artistic expression, has been politicized by Trump’s influence. "Kennedy Center is supposed to be a memorial, focusing on being nonpartisan," they said. "A place where people, it doesn’t matter what party they believe in, should be performing and experiencing the arts together regardless of what their party is. And it has not become that." Other artists have chosen to continue with their scheduled performances, but view their decision as an act of resistance to Trump’s influence. "Reality show personality and con artist aren’t the type of artist the center showcases," one musician said. "And I guess the real debate up till now is what you boycott it and help ensure it goes down the tubes, or do you do the concerts and keep the audiences that love going to the Kennedy Center."
The Legality of the Renaming
The renaming of the center has also raised questions about its legality. Democrats and historians have argued that the move requires an act of Congress, as the Kennedy Center was named by law in 1964. Ray Smock, a former House historian, wrote in an email to the Associated Press that "the Kennedy Center board is not a lawmaking entity. Congress makes laws." Despite these concerns, the center’s board, which is now stacked with Trump loyalists, voted to add Trump’s name to the center’s title. The board includes White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, among others.
The Reaction from Kennedy’s Relatives
Kennedy’s relatives have also expressed their outrage at the renaming of the center. Kerry Kennedy, the former president’s niece, wrote on X that she would consider removing the letters from the building herself. "Three years and one month from today, I’m going to grab a pickax and pull those letters off that building, but I’m going to need help holding the ladder," she said. Other relatives have also spoken out against the move, arguing that it is a partisan power grab that undermines the center’s mission.
The Impact on the Center
The renaming of the center has already had a significant impact on its operations. Ticket sales have reportedly plummeted, and audiences have thinned since Trump’s takeover. The center’s reputation as a nonpartisan institution has been damaged, and many artists are now questioning whether they want to be associated with the venue. The controversy has also raised questions about the future of the center, with some wondering whether it can survive the backlash against Trump’s influence. As one musician said, "I don’t associate the arts, or this building, with Trump." The center’s future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts has sparked a controversy that will not soon be forgotten.