‘Whoops!’ Trump doubles down on renaming DC institution after himself

President Donald Trump floated the idea of renaming the Kennedy Center after himself Monday in just the latest example of the president’s infatuation with reshaping the historic cultural center in Washington, D.C., in his own image.

“The new TRUMP KENNEDY, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, columns, beautifully painted in a luxuriant white enamel color, replacing the fake looking gold paint that was there for years,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

“Many major improvements are being made, including seating, carpeting, wall coverings, ceilings, chandeliers, stages, heating and A/C, etc., to what will soon be the finest Arts and Entertainment Center anywhere in the World," Trump posted. "Come see for yourself. We are remaining fully open during construction, renovation, and beautification. I am doing the same thing to the United States of America, but only on a ‘slightly’ larger scale!”

Trump first outlined plans to revamp the Kennedy Center’s Honors program in March, which included his suggestion that he would host the center’s award ceremony himself. In July, House Republicans introduced and supported a bill to name the Kennedy Center’s Opera House after Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, and in August, Trump openly voiced support for the center’s renaming.

Trump’s history with the Kennedy Center is marked by his longstanding disdain for its management, having called it “woke” and “terrible” back in February. Trump has since gone on to fire the center’s president and its board of trustees, naming himself as the new organization’s chairman.