US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement from the Oval Office on Friday, stating that the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on December 5. The event is expected to attract international attention, but some have expressed concerns about Trump’s influence over the arts institution.
Trump has been keenly interested in the Kennedy Center, having made his fourth visit to the facility since taking office to survey renovation plans. In 2020, he signed a bill allocating $257 million for upgrades to the complex. However, a 1983 law prohibits additional memorials or plaques from being installed in public areas.
Trump has been pushing for the Kennedy Center’s name to be changed to the “Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts,” but this proposal is unlikely due to existing laws and regulations. The announcement of the FIFA World Cup draw comes before the annual Kennedy Center Honors, which will feature celebrities such as George Strait, KISS, and Sylvester Stallone.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the gold World Cup trophy during the Oval Office ceremony, saying that presidents and winners can touch it. Trump requested to keep the trophy, citing its potential fit in his Oval Office decor.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/08/trump-kennedy-center-renaming-1236495493