WASHINGTON — The Kennedy Center board has approved plans to add President Donald Trump’s name to the Washington performing arts complex while closing the institution for two years of renovations.

The decision comes after the board, now dominated by Trump allies, voted to pursue an extensive renovation plan and rename the landmark with Trump's name included. The move has generated strong criticism from Democrats and other opponents, who argue that the president's name should not be added to the Kennedy Center.

The board says the building requires significant work and has cited safety and infrastructure concerns as reasons for the planned closure.

The decision has also intensified an existing legal battle over the Kennedy Center. A federal judge previously ruled that Trump's name had been added improperly and blocked aspects of the administration's plans.

The controversy places the Kennedy Center at the intersection of American politics, culture and presidential power, making the institution a major political flashpoint ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The latest vote is likely to fuel further legal and political challenges over who controls one of America's most prominent cultural institutions.