The 49th annual Kennedy Center Honors will take place at Washington’s Capital One Arena instead of the iconic riverside venue, which has been embroiled in legal disputes over President Donald Trump’s proposed name addition to the building. The change, confirmed by a spokesperson, comes as the board voted to close the center following a federal judge’s ruling that blocked the renaming efforts, stating that Congressional approval is required.
Trump claimed the center needed safety repairs that would only progress if his name was added. However, Congress had previously designated the center as a memorial to John F. Kennedy, which legally prevents alterations to its designation or name. The Kennedy Center Honors, celebrating lifetime contributions to American culture through the arts, will be held on December 7, with the 2026 honorees to be announced later.
