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Debate Erupts Over Renaming Kennedy Center After Donald Trump

From *Santa Donald* jokes to branding battles, the push to rename landmarks after Trump reveals deep cultural divides. Why is this debate so heated?

In this image there is a toy Santa Claus, there are badges and a photo in a photo frame, and in the...
In this image there is a toy Santa Claus, there are badges and a photo in a photo frame, and in the background there are papers, photo and badges stick to the wall.

Debate Erupts Over Renaming Kennedy Center After Donald Trump

A proposal to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the Trump Kennedy Center has sparked widespread debate. Critics argue that the move reflects a broader trend of commercialising Donald Trump's name and brand. Meanwhile, discussions about naming a town or mountain after the former president have surfaced—but no concrete plans exist yet.

The idea of renaming landmarks after Donald Trump has gained attention, though no official efforts are currently underway. Online searches reveal unrelated debates, such as military base renamings in the US and German street name controversies, but none involve Donald Trump. The only existing example is Trump Heights, a settlement on the Golan Heights named in his honour by Benjamin Netanyahu in 2019.

Some supporters have playfully suggested the nickname Santa Donald due to his white hair and beard. However, critics point to his history of branding properties with large gold-lettered Donald Trump signs. The commercialisation of his name has even drawn indirect criticism from those who believe it undermines the legacy of figures like John F. Kennedy, whose grave at Arlington National Cemetery stands in contrast to such branding. Separately, Barack Obama recently shared his 2025 Christmas gift recommendations. Among them was The Look, a coffee-table book by Michelle Obama, highlighting his continued support for his wife’s work.

The debate over renaming the Kennedy Center reflects deeper tensions about legacy and commercial influence. While no new places are actively being renamed after Donald Trump, the discussion persists. For now, the only official Donald Trump-branded location remains the Golan Heights settlement, and Obama’s holiday list offers a quieter contrast to the branding controversy.

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