Donald Trump’s name is now on the Kennedy Center facade, a day after a board vote, drawing criticism from the Kennedy family over the unprecedented move.
WASHINGTON: The name of US President Donald Trump was affixed to the facade of the Kennedy Center on Friday.
Workers on scissor lifts installed metal lettering reading “The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For the Performing Arts” before unveiling it.
The move came one day after board members selected by Trump voted to rename the national arts venue.
Family members of President John F. Kennedy, assassinated in 1963, have criticised the change as “beyond wild”.
They argue an act of Congress is required to alter the name of the US national cultural centre.
Trump said on Thursday he was “surprised” by the rebranding decision.
The president had previously purged the centre’s board after calling it too woke and discussed adding his name.
The 79-year-old Republican also appointed himself as its chairman of the board earlier this year.
“The updated exterior designation honours the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and the enduring legacy of John F. Kennedy,” the centre stated on its rebranded social media account.
Naming a national institution after a sitting president is unprecedented in American history.
Landmarks like the Washington Monument and the original Kennedy Center were all named posthumously.
Trump has shown little hesitation in applying his branding as president, having long emblazoned his name on skyscrapers and casinos.
He has stamped his mark on the centre since the start of his second term.
His administration has accused many cultural institutions of being too left-wing.
During his second term, Trump has also given his name to a Washington peace institute and special trust funds.
He unveiled a “Trump Gold Card” for high-paying immigrants on Friday.
The president has embarked on a major overhaul of the White House, including a new RM1.9 billion ballroom.
This week, plaques were installed rewriting the history of his presidential predecessors. – AFP
