GOP proposes renaming Kennedy Center venue after Melania Trump
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House Republicans propose renaming the Kennedy Center’s opera house to honor Melania Trump, sparking debate over politics and the arts.
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US President Donald Trump, right, and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Club World Cup final soccer match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP)
House Republicans are pushing for the Kennedy Center’s renowned opera house to be renamed in honor of Melania Trump.
House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee included an amendment in the annual spending bill for the interior, environment, and related agencies that would change the name of the opera house within the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House."
On Tuesday, the committee voted 33-25 to pass the amendment, which was included alongside a series of other proposed changes.
The effort to honor the first lady follows President Trump's controversial decision earlier this year to replace the Kennedy Center's board and appoint himself as chair, a move that drew criticism as he accused the performing arts institution of being overly "woke".
The president and Melania Trump, who had broken with tradition by not participating in the annual Kennedy Center Honors during his first term, recently attended the opening night performance of "Les Misérables" at the Washington arts venue last month.
Representatives for both the Kennedy Center and the first lady's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the possible renaming of the opera house.
