Republicans make audacious move for a Kennedy Center makeover by renaming wing after Melania Trump
Republicans in Congress are working to rename a portion of Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after First Lady Melania Trump.
Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, pioneered the effort that would the rename the performing arts center's opera house after the first lady.
His amendment was adopted on Tuesday and is expected to be given a full vote on the House floor once Congress returns from August recess in September.
'The Opera House located in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts shall be known and designated as the 'First Lady Melania Trump Opera House,' the text states.
The veteran GOP lawmaker, who has been dubbed 'MAGA Mike,' told the Daily Mail in a statement he wanted to honor Melania. It is unclear if the move was coordinated with the White House or the Kennedy Center.
'First Lady Melania Trump serves as the Honorary Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Kennedy Center. Naming a theater after her is an excellent way to recognize her appreciation for the arts.'
Simpson is chairman of House committee that oversees federal funding for capital repairs and operations and maintenance at the Kennedy Center.
Congressman Greg Casar, a progressive Democrat from Texas, knocked the news as emblematic of misguided Republican priorities.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the opening night of 'Les Misérables' at The Kennedy Center on June 11, 2025 in Washington, DC
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the United States National Cultural Center, located on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.
'If you're one of 17 million people about to lose their health are, Republicans have some good news: they're renaming the Kennedy Center Opera House after Melania Trump,' Casar posted.
The president has sought to remake Washington's premiere art center in his image during his second term, stunningly firing the entire board during his first month in office.
Trump later named himself chairman of the board and appointed Special Presidential Envoy Ric Grenell as acting Kennedy Center president and executive director.
The first couple most recently attended a showing of 'Les Misérables' at the iconic venue in early June.
'I've seen it, we've seen it, a number of times, it's fantastic. It was just about our first choice. That's what we got and we've got other ones coming, other great ones coming,' Trump said of the show.
When the Trumps entered the theater, there were cheers, applause and a USA chant. There were also some boos.
In an act of defiance, some of the show's actors boycotted the performance for the president.
Melania Trump is an honorary board member at the Kennedy Center
Melania Trump has also been appointed to an honorary chair role on the Kennedy Center's board of trustees. As have Dr. Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The president has celebrated Grenell's work at the performing arts center.
So far the 2025–2026 season has featured an array of musical hits, including Les Miserables, Chicago, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, Monty Python's Spamalot and Back to the Future: The Musical.
