On Tuesday, Donald Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social, about the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. While talking about it, he jokingly suggested renaming the center after himself, calling it the “Trump/Kennedy Center” before correcting himself.
He said the nominees for the awards would be revealed Wednesday and that major efforts and spending were underway to restore the venue to what he described as the highest level of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.
Earlier this year, Trump had criticized the Kennedy Center, calling it “woke” and “terrible.” In February, he removed the center’s president and board of trustees, replacing them with himself as chairman. In March, he announced plans to change the center’s Honors program, even hinting that he might personally host the awards ceremony.
Months later, he still seems eager to put his personal stamp on the institution, including the idea of changing its name. He claimed the center had been in poor condition but promised it would make a big comeback soon.
The Kennedy Center Honors has been held every December since 1978 to celebrate achievements in the performing arts. Before Trump became chairman, its CEO was Shonda Rhimes, the TV producer best known for creating *Grey’s Anatomy*. She resigned just hours after Trump’s appointment.
