GOP strategist Scott Jennings appeared to concede the optics of President Trump’s renaming of the Kennedy Center during a CNN panel, at one point calling a hypothetical Democratic equivalent “the stupidest person.” The Kennedy Center, established as a congressional "living memorial" to John F. Kennedy in 1964, received new Trump-branded signage on December 19 after Karoline Leavitt said the board had voted unanimously — a claim Rep. Joyce Beatty later disputed. Trump has since teased additional cosmetic changes on Truth Social, including “potential marble armrests.”
Scott Jennings Says He'd Be Fine With Democrats Renaming Monuments After Defending Trump’s Kennedy Center Rebrand
Jennings told host Abby Phillip that if a Democrat put Obama's name on the Lincoln Memorial they'd be 'the stupidest person who ever lived.' / CNN
GOP strategist Scott Jennings appeared to acknowledge the optics of President Trump’s decision to add his name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during a tense exchange on CNN’s NewsNight.
The strategist argued that Trump's Kennedy Center rename is fine because it's a building rather than a statue. / CNN
On the panel, host Abby Phillip asked whether Jennings would be comfortable if a future Democratic president similarly renamed national monuments — for example, adding Barack Obama’s name to the Lincoln Memorial. Jennings initially defended Trump but then seemed to concede the point, saying such a move would make that president “the stupidest person that ever lived.”
After Phillip pointed out that the Kennedy Center is a memorial to JFK, Jennings said that Democrats could 'misname every statue in America.' / The Washington Post / Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
“So you’re saying a Democrat would put Obama’s name on a statue that isn’t of him? That would make them look like the stupidest person that ever lived,” Jennings said, later adding, “Yep, I am. I’m ready for Democrats to misname every statue in America.”
Phillip countered that the Kennedy Center is a congressionally designated memorial. The center was established in 1964 as a "living memorial" to President John F. Kennedy after his assassination in 1963, and Phillip argued it serves a memorial function similar to the Lincoln Memorial. Jennings attempted to distinguish the building from a statue, insisting it has a likeness, but ultimately affirmed he would welcome reciprocal renamings by Democrats.
Trump isn't done with the Kennedy Center yet, having recently shown off his planned makeover for the building. / Truth Social
The change to the Kennedy Center’s signage — now reading “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” — was installed on December 19. Karoline Leavitt had said a day earlier that the board had “voted unanimously” to approve the renaming, a claim that Rep. Joyce Beatty disputed. Beatty posted a video on X after the announcement and wrote that she had been muted during the call, that the item was not on the agenda, and that the move was not consensus.
Whether or not the vote was unanimous, President Trump signaled he may pursue further aesthetic changes to the historic venue. On Truth Social he posted a photo of stone pieces and suggested adding “Potential Marble armrests” to seating at the center, calling the idea unprecedented.
Why This Matters
The exchange highlights broader tensions over how public memorials and national institutions are named and whether leaders should use prominent civic spaces to burnish personal brands. Critics view Trump's renaming as an act of ego-driven rebranding of a congressionally designated memorial; supporters argue it is within his prerogative if board procedures allow it.
Key players: Scott Jennings (GOP strategist), Abby Phillip (CNN host), Karoline Leavitt (White House aide who announced the change), Rep. Joyce Beatty (board member who disputed unanimity), and President Donald Trump.
