Republicans propose renaming Kennedy Center Opera House after Melania Trump

Republican lawmakers are aiming to rename the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts after First Lady Melania Trump

The proposal came Tuesday as an amendment to a spending bill introduced by a House Appropriations Committee Republican and first reported by The New York Times

It still needs full House approval. President Trump has taken a particular interest in the Kennedy Center since the start of his second term

naming himself chairman just days after taking office and dismissing the entire board appointed by former President Biden

He removed the center president, Deborah Rutter, and its chairman, David Rubenstein

Traditionally, the first lady serves as the honorary chair of the Kennedy Center

The move tracks with Donald Trump's push to overhaul its programming. In February, Trump announced via Truth Social, no more drag shows or other anti-American propaganda, only the best

In June he and the first lady attended Les Miserables and were met by protests from drag performers as well as some supporters Days later a group of Democratic senators held a Pride concert at one of the theaters

The Opera House Amendment passed the House Appropriations Subcommittee with a vote of 33 to 25, mostly along party lines

Its sponsor, Republican Mike Simpson of Idaho, called the rename an excellent way to recognize her appreciation for the arts

However, Democratic Congresswoman Shelley Pingree of Maine called it another attempt by Trump to take control of the Kennedy Center

adding, it also leads me to wonder, does the president plan to rename the whole Kennedy Center after himself

Renaming major venues at the Kennedy Center is rare, usually reserved for donors who give $100 million or more

Critics say renaming the Opera House after Melania Trump could complicate future fundraising

Though one exception already exists, the Eisenhower Theater, named after the late president

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