Workers were seen this week adding the name of President Donald Trump to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., following a unanimous vote by the Center’s board to rename the institution. The venue will now officially be known as “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”

The board credited Trump with securing $257 million from Congress to fund urgent repairs at the Center, including leaky roofs, malfunctioning elevators, and other deferred maintenance issues. President Richard Grenell highlighted Trump’s personal tour of the venue and rapid efforts to secure funding after years of neglect and growing debt.

The renaming has sparked controversy. Critics, including Senator Chris Van Hollen and members of the Kennedy family, have called the decision a desecration of the 1958 congressional memorial. Protests have taken place outside the Center, and ticket sales have reportedly dropped amid calls for boycotts. Congress has not yet ruled on the permanence of the name change, leaving open the possibility of legislative review or reversal.

Despite the backlash, supporters argue that the renaming recognizes Trump’s decisive action to preserve and revitalize the landmark, ensuring the Center remains operational and accessible for future generations. Video footage circulating online shows the workers carefully affixing the letters, capturing both the moment of recognition and the debate it has ignited across the nation.