Overview

• Speaking in the Oval Office, the president floated a near-term renaming while announcing the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the venue on December 5, 2025.
• The arts center continues to operate under its current name honoring President John F. Kennedy.
• Republican Rep. Bob Onder introduced the Make Entertainment Great Again Act to pursue a renaming, and a House Appropriations amendment to name the Opera House for Melania Trump passed 33–25.
• Trump said he will serve as host of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, with honorees including George Strait, KISS, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor and Michael Crawford.
• Trump’s control of the institution since early 2025 has fueled artist withdrawals and protests, including the cancellation of a planned 2026 run of Hamilton.