Donald Trump Threatens Not to Reopen Kennedy Center Unless His Name Is Displayed
The American president, who took control of the Washington cultural institution in 2025, has reportedly conditioned its reopening on having his name inscribed on it, according to Le Monde. The board of directors, largely composed of loyalists, supports him.

American President Donald Trump has threatened not to reopen the Kennedy Center, the emblematic cultural institution in Washington, unless his name is displayed on it, according to Le Monde.
According to the newspaper, Mr. Trump took control of the cultural center shortly after his return to the White House in 2025 by placing largely loyalists on its board of directors. This move reflected an expressed determination to "put the institution back on track," according to terms reported by Le Monde.
The Kennedy Center's board of directors, composed largely of figures close to the president, would support this request, according to the cited source.
The Kennedy Center, officially named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is a major cultural venue in the American capital dedicated to the performing arts. Its governance and funding depend in part on presidential appointments, an institutional mechanism that has allowed Donald Trump to strengthen his influence there since returning to power.
Le Monde does not specify, in the excerpt consulted, the exact terms of the threat made by the American president or the timeline envisioned for a potential reopening of the establishment.
Sources
- Donald Trump menace de ne pas rouvrir le Kennedy Center si son nom n’y est pas apposé, le conseil d’administration le soutient — Le Monde — Une
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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