A House Republican, Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.), introduced a bill titled the “Make Entertainment Great Again Act” to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., as the “Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts.” The proposal, introduced on July 23, 2025, aims to honor Trump’s influence on entertainment, citing his role in “The Apprentice” and appearances in films like “Home Alone 2.” This follows another GOP proposal to rename the Kennedy Center’s Opera House after First Lady Melania Trump, which passed the House Appropriations Committee. The Kennedy Center, established as a living memorial to President Kennedy after his 1963 assassination, is governed by a federal statute that prohibits additional memorials or plaques, potentially making these renaming efforts legally problematic. Critics, including Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg, argue the move disrespects JFK’s legacy and reflects Trump’s attempt to overshadow it. The bill faces significant hurdles, requiring approval from both the House and Senate, where Democratic opposition could block it.
