Trump Allies’ “Unanimous” Kennedy Center Vote under Scrutiny After Bylaws Change
A claim of a “unanimous” vote to rename The John F. Kennedy memorial Center for the Performing Arts-pushed by white House press secretary Karoline Leavitt-is facing intense scrutiny following revelations about a recent bylaws change that effectively silenced dissenting voices on the board. the controversy centers on whether the vote to add former President Trump’s name to the iconic cultural institution was legitimate, or a carefully orchestrated outcome achieved by limiting participation.
Two weeks ago, Leavitt asserted that the kennedy Center’s board, comprised of individuals loyal to Trump, had “voted unanimously” to approve the renaming. However, this claim quickly drew criticism, particularly from Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, a congressional member of the board.
Beatty, who serves as an ex officio member, attempted to voice her opposition during the meeting but discovered she had been muted. In response to being effectively barred from participating, Beatty filed a federal lawsuit last week challenging the process.
The core of the dispute lies in a shift in the Kennedy Center’s governing rules. According to reporting by The Washington Post, the center adopted new bylaws earlier this year that restricted voting rights to trustees appointed by the president. This change occurred before the board, now stacked with Trump appointees, reached its “unanimous” decision to include his name.
The revised bylaws,obtained by the Post,explicitly state that board members designated by Congress-like Beatty-are ineligible to vote or contribute to establishing a quorum. Legal experts suggest this move may be in conflict with the institution’s original charter. This raises serious questions about the legality and ethical implications of the decision-making process.
Essentially, after gaining control of the cultural institution, the former president appointed loyalists to the traditionally bipartisan board. These appointees then implemented rules that effectively stripped their colleagues-those not directly chosen by Trump-of their power to influence decisions.
As one analyst noted, the situation highlights a concerning trend of politicizing cultural institutions. the definition of “unanimous” becomes critically vital in this context. While the vote may have been unanimous among those allowed to participate, it was far from a consensus of the entire board.
The lawsuit filed by Rep. Beatty seeks to challenge the validity of the bylaws change and the subsequent renaming decision. The outcome of this legal battle could have meaningful implications for the future governance of the Kennedy Center and the broader issue of political influence over cultural landmarks.
Why did this happen? The renaming effort was initiated by allies of former President Trump following his election.They sought to honor him by adding his name to the Kennedy Center, a prominent cultural institution.This move was facilitated by a shift in the center’s bylaws, restricting voting rights to trustees appointed by the president.
Who was involved? Key players include White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who announced the “unanimous” vote; Rep. Joyce Beatty, who challenged the process and filed a lawsuit; and former President trump, whose name is at the center of the controversy. The board members appointed by Trump and those designated by Congress also played crucial roles.
What occurred? The Kennedy Center’s board, now dominated by Trump appointees, voted to add his name to the institution. This vote was initially presented as unanimous,but Rep. Beatty revealed that she and other congressional appointees were effectively barred from participating due to a recent bylaws change.
How did it end? As of now, the situation remains unresolved. Rep. Beatty has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the validity of the bylaws change and the renaming decision
