‘Trump Kennedy Center’ name goes live, but may not stick

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00:00The fallout is growing this morning after the board of the Kennedy Center voted to rename

00:06the iconic performing arts venue the Trump Kennedy Center, a move that's already sparked

00:12outrage from Democrats, members of the Kennedy family, and legal scholars questioning whether

00:17the board even has the authority to do it. The name change appeared late Thursday on the

00:22Center's website after what it says was a unanimous vote. The White House and Trump

00:27allies framing it as a win, crediting President Trump for what they say was saving the building

00:32financially and physically. Well, I was honored by it. The board is a very distinguished board,

00:38most distinguished people in the country, and I was surprised by it. I was honored by it. You know,

00:44we're saving the building. We saved the building. The building was in such bad shape, both physically,

00:49financially, and every other way, and now it's very solid, very strong. Trump joined the board

00:54meeting virtually and thanked members after the vote. His allies, including Kennedy Senator

00:59President Richard Grinnell, called the move bipartisan and a commitment to the arts. But

01:04Democrats say that's not just misleading, it's illegal. These people are pathetic.

01:12They are sycophants. And these are individuals right now who are bending the knee to a loser.

01:20These are sick people. Something is really wrong with these folks.

01:25And here's the final thing. They don't have the power to do it.

01:32Only Congress can rename the Kennedy Center.

01:36House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says the board overstepped its authority,

01:41pointing out the center was named by federal law as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy,

01:46and as you heard there, can only be changed by Congress. That argument echoed by members of the

01:51Kennedy family. Former Congressman Joe Kennedy posting this on X, saying it can no sooner be

01:57renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says. Democrats also dispute the

02:03idea that the vote was truly unanimous. Be clear. I was on that call. And as I tried to push my button to

02:13voice, my concern, to ask questions, and certainly not to vote in support of this, I was muted.

02:22The Kennedy Center says all members were invited to attend in person, and that virtual attendees were there to

02:28listen. Now Democrats say they're exploring legal options, even as they acknowledge this may not be their top

02:34legislative fight.