President Trump is excited about announcing a “great nominee” set to receive the newly branded “Kennedy Center Award,” hinting at a potential name change for the center that honors the 35th president.
“The great candidate for the Trump/Kennedy Center, or rather, the Kennedy Center award,” Trump posted on Tuesday. “A true society,” he added.
Trump stated that the announcement would come on Wednesday.
This move comes after he controversially reviewed the Kennedy Center’s board and appointed himself as chair, calling it “an American gem.” He had previously criticized the center, which was established in 1971 to honor Kennedy, for being in decline.
It remains ambiguous whether Trump is discussing a nominee for the Kennedy Center honor or if he’s suggesting that the event, which celebrates significant artistic achievements, has been reimagined as the “Kennedy Center Award.”
A Kennedy Center representative was unavailable for immediate comment.
In recent years, the Kennedy Center has typically announced its honorary recipients during the summer leading up to the traditional December ceremony.
During his first term, Trump notably broke from tradition by refusing to attend the annual honors after several recipients openly criticized him.
“A tremendous amount of work has been done, money spent—to bring it back to top-level luxury, charm, and entertainment,” he indicated in a social media post.
“It was struggling during a tough time, but I’m planning a big comeback soon!!!” he declared.
In June, Trump attended the opening night of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center.
Recently, Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.) proposed a bill to replace Kennedy’s name with Trump’s on the Washington Arts Hub, officially changing the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts to the “Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts.”
