CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins criticized a Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board after it voted to add a plaque restoring President Trump's name to the center's exterior—a move characterized as a workaround to a judge's removal order and likely to prompt further legal challenges. Collins framed the decision as part of a wider pattern of self-branding that includes coins, passports and other public projects. New York Times correspondent Shawn McCreesh called the board's action "unique," and Collins said she will continue focusing on reporting despite personal attacks from the president.
Kaitlan Collins Criticizes Trump’s 'Self-Branding' After Kennedy Center Board Vote
Collins listed several of Trump's vanity projects, such as his image on gold coins, giant banners on government buildings, and in passports. / CNN
A Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board voted to add a plaque beneath the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts signage reading: "Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump." The board framed the move as a response to a federal judge's order requiring the removal of Trump's name from the building's exterior. Legal experts expect the new resolution to trigger additional court challenges.
CNN Segment: A Pattern of Self-Branding
On CNN, anchor Kaitlan Collins framed the board's vote as part of a broader, second-term effort by President Trump to attach his name to public projects and institutions. Collins listed recent examples she said reflect that pattern, including commemorative gold coins, proposed Trump-branded passports, national park pass designs, the Palm Beach airport, a Justice Department banner, and a new class of U.S. battleships.
A tarp covers the facade of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, following a federal judge’s order to remove Trump's name from the institution. / Nathan Howard/Reuters
"The president's focus has not just been on the Kennedy Center in terms of his broader push to remake Washington. It's also his penchant for branding everything in his name," Collins said.
Reaction From Reporters
Collins spoke with New York Times White House correspondent Shawn McCreesh, who compared the Kennedy Center episode to other legally contested efforts to alter national symbols. McCreesh described the board's decision as striking because it appeared to flout a judicial order: "I think it's very strange that a board of people who are loyal to him got together today and said, no, we are going to scrape your name on the wall after we've been told to take it off. That's very unique behavior." Collins responded, "'Unique' is a word for it."
Personal Attacks and Professional Response
The segment also recalled that President Trump has repeatedly attacked Collins personally in public remarks, including comments such as "smile more" and other insults. Collins has said she does not let those attacks derail her reporting. Speaking to Jon Stewart, she emphasized refocusing attention on the questions and the reporting rather than on personal reactions.
The Daily Beast and other outlets reported on the board vote; the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Legal observers say the newly approved plaque is likely to face litigation and judicial scrutiny in the coming weeks.
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