Rep. Beatty challenges unanimous vote by Kennedy Center board members regarding recent decision.

The board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. has made a significant decision to rename the institution to the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” a move that has sparked controversy and dissent among board members. The vote took place on December 18, 2025, and the announcement was made public by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

In a notable development following the vote, Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio, publicly voiced her objection to both the decision and the process through which it was reached. Beatty, who serves as an ex officio member of the board, claimed she was silenced during the virtual meeting, asserting that her attempts to raise concerns were thwarted as she was repeatedly muted by the meeting’s moderators. She expressed frustration that participants attending remotely were unable to voice their objections prior to the vote, contradicting the board’s later assertions of a unanimous decision.

In a video shared via social media, Beatty recounted her experience during the meeting, stating that, despite her efforts to engage in the discussion, she faced repeated muting which prevented her from articulating her concerns regarding the renaming. Her remarks highlighted the contentious nature of the vote, with claims that the process lacked transparency and adequate representation from all board members.

Following the announcement, Beatty, alongside several other Democratic representatives, issued a joint statement criticizing the decision as improper and lacking legal foundation. They pointed out that federal law recognizes the Kennedy Center as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy and prohibits any alteration to its name without Congressional approval. This legal perspective suggests that the board’s actions could be contested, with implications for governance and oversight related to federally designated institutions.

Supporters of the name change, including Roma Daravi, Vice President of Public Relations at the Kennedy Center, argue that the renaming reflects former President Donald Trump’s significant impact on American political and cultural landscapes. The Kennedy Center has acted as a living tribute to John F. Kennedy since its opening in 1971, emphasizing the sensitive nature of the potential changes being proposed.

The Kennedy Center has yet to make a public statement addressing the controversies raised regarding the vote’s procedure, nor has it released a transcript of the meeting. As the situation unfolds, the implications of this decision will likely reverberate both politically and culturally across the country.

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