The US Congress has proposed naming the opera house at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in honor of first lady Melania Trump. The initiative has already been included in the bill, which will be considered after the summer holidays.
This was reported by Congressman from Idaho Mike Simpson.
It was he who came up with the proposal, stating that in this way he wants to recognize Melania Trump's contribution to supporting the arts.
"Naming the Opera House at the Kennedy Center after Melania Trump is a great way to express gratitude to the first lady for her love of the arts," Simpson wrote on X.
Republican lawmakers have already officially registered the initiative, and a discussion is planned after Congress returns from vacation.
This proposal is now included in the bill on financing the US Environmental Protection Agency and a number of other agencies for the 2026 fiscal year.
The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has already supported the document by a vote of 33 For to 28 against.
The next step is for the project to be submitted for consideration by the full House of Representatives after the end of the August holidays.
The John F. Kennedy Opera House is one of the main stages of the American capital. It was opened in 1971 in memory of the 35th US President. It seats more than 2,200 spectators and has hosted the most high-profile premieres and world-class stars - from Luciano Pavarotti to Anna Netrebko.
By the way, in February 2025, Donald Trump, who is serving as US President for the second time, appointed himself chairman of the board of the Kennedy Center. The renaming initiative immediately sparked heated debate, in particular because of attempt to revisit Kennedy's legacy and give Melania Trump's name symbolic weight in the cultural sphere.
As a reminder, a statue of Melania Trump was stolen in Slovenia.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.