Kennedy Center adds Trump’s name to building

Washington — President Trump’s name was added to the exterior of the Kennedy Center, a day after his board meeting voted to rename the establishment.

Mr. Trump’s name was added Friday in large letters above the “John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” on the building’s facade.

Its board of directors, many of whom were selected by Mr. Trump, voted Thursday to rename the institution The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

The move sparked outrage among Democrats and members of the Kennedy family.

Originally known as the National Cultural Center, Congress renamed the performing arts center in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy after his assassination.

Congress approved plans to create the cultural center in 1958, but the institution did not open until 1971. Any name change appears to require an act of Congress.

Under the law, there are restrictions on other memorials and plaques that can be installed in public areas of the Kennedy Center.

“The Council shall ensure that after December 2, 1983, no additional memorials or plaques shall be designated or installed in the public areas of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” the law states.

It includes exceptions for “any plaque recognizing a gift from a foreign country,” “any plaque on a theater chair or theater box recognizing the gift of such chair or box,” and “any inscription on the marble walls of the North or South Galleries, the Hall of States or the Hall of Nations recognizing a major contribution.”