A House panel voted Tuesday to rename a cultural landmark after First Lady Melania Trump.
The House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the fiscal 2026 Interior-Environment spending bill that would redesignate the Kennedy Center’s Opera House as the “First Lady Melania Trump Opera House.” The amendment, introduced by Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho, passed on a party-line vote of 33-25.
The proposal still requires approval from the full House and Senate before it can become law. As of Tuesday, House leadership had not set a timeline for bringing the bill to the floor for a vote. August recess starts July 24, and the House won’t reconvene until Sept. 2.
Supporters of the renaming effort described it as a recognition of Melania Trump’s contributions to the arts and culture during her tenure as First Lady. Mrs. Trump championed American heritage and oversaw major White House restoration projects, making this designation a fitting tribute, Simpson said during the committee markup.
Democrats swiftly criticized the move as politically motivated. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), the ranking member on the subcommittee, called the amendment “divisive” and questioned the wisdom of using a government funding bill to rename a cultural institution. It’s not a priority for the American people, Pingree said.
The Kennedy Center Opera House, named in honor of President John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, has borne its current name since the performing arts complex opened in 1971.
I am a very conservative republican and admirer of the first lady – a cultural icon fluent in seven languages – but I oppose this renaming effort. Just because time has past is no excuse for renaming a Kennedy facility. We forget too soon and while Kennedy is overblown in history he was assassinated leading to a difficult mourning. I experienced it and it was traumatic. Let us not forget his legacy.
I definitely agree with this. I too grew up during the time of Pres Kennedy. Even though he was a Democrat, back then, they were definitely NOT the Democrats of today..Today, President Kenndy would be considered a conservative and possibly a Republican. As much as I have been a conservative Trump fan, renaming the Kennedy Center would erase the historical aspect of that time.
I agree too. They shouldn’t try to rename it. Oh, how many people he angered before he died.
Anything they can do to make us forget that they are conspiring to keep the truth about Epstein from us. Speaker Johnson seems to think that none of us will remember Old Jeff come September when the house reconvenes, but we will not forget.
That’s a super idea.
Liberals are going to lose their collective minds. It will be uncontrollable. We could see violent and arsonistic but “mostly peaceful” protests. Many will never walk into the facility again. It will be glorious.
Trump family is trash. No class.
Some things are best left alone. Kennedy was a mixed bag of traits, for sure. In any case, he became an instant object of devotion akin to idol worship the moment he was killed. As a wee boy, I assumed the falderal was normal. I now realize it was probably representative of an ongoing tendency to worship false gods that seems to be popular among some in the political realm. Taking the false god’s name off of a prominent building may create an emotional reaction that distracts us from our very real task of trying to preserve our country. It just might not be worth the fallout.
It was stupid to name it after Kennedy, and this is worse… It will be seen as arrogance, however undeserved that label may be. Let’s find a classy way to honor such a classy lady.
Wow… This almost got me to forget about the mossad controlled pedophile blackmail ring targeting people in positions of power and influence that was swept under the rug last week.
I for one am glad that the House GOP is advancing legislation so crucial to our nation. It is great the GOP has moved on from that Epstein distraction, I certainly wouldn’t want them wasting any more time on that.
Your name on the list?
An entire Congress full of butt kissing sycophants.
The oxymoron of the century. With any luck, the house will honor the renaming with a performance of La Traviata, an opera that features a high-society courtesan.
This is some epic level trolling on the part of the Republicans. Just look at how the leftists on MRAK are getting all bent out of shape about it.
Dear Ghislaine,
You — and possibly you alone — have the power to bring this utterly corrupt man down and save this republic. Not only would you make up for your (tragic) loyalty to Jeffrey Epstein, you would instantly become one of the greatest heroes in the history of the nation! We ask you to nominate yourself to be the ONE person who stands up to Trump (who after all left you to rot in jail until there was something in it for him). There are many, many people who would fight for you if you do right by the country — and history. End the cycle of abuse right here, right now! And if karma isn’t something you believe in, maybe revenge is. Make them pay for pinning everything on you!! Whatever gets you there, we implore you not to enable another abusive man.
With deepest sincerity,
Disempowered and Discouraged Americans
I’m with you Dawg.
Whidbey – Do you really think Ghislaine Maxwell, an alleged Mossad asset, should be named an American hero under any circumstance? We live in strange times, indeed!