Latest news with #US256.7
West Australian
23-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
‘First Lady Melania Trump Opera House' proposed as new name for John F. Kennedy Centre opera house
House Republicans have voted to rename the opera house at Washington's John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in honour of First Lady Melania Trump. The newly proposed name, the First Lady Melania Trump Opera House, was included as an amendment to a spending bill for the Interior Department. The House Appropriations Committee adopted the amendment by a 33-25 vote. The move comes after lawmakers approved $US256.7 million ($AU390m) for improvements to the Kennedy Centre, highlighting the growing influence of US President Donald Trump over the institution. Since taking office, Mr Trump fired several Kennedy Centre board members and appointed himself chairman. During a tour of the facility in March 2025, he pledged to 'make it great again'. 'I'm very disappointed when I look around. The bottom line: It has tremendous potential,' Mr Trump said. While the change has passed this committee vote, the name switch for the 2364-seat opera house still faces hurdles as it must be approved by both the full House and the Senate before becoming official. With Republicans holding 53 Senate seats but needing 60 votes to pass spending bills, the measure's future remains uncertain. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, who introduced the amendment, said renaming the venue is an 'excellent way to recognise her support and commitment to promoting the arts'. Critics argue the proposal is a politicised gesture inserted into essential funding legislation. The Kennedy Centre has yet to comment on the renaming initiative, which is part of broader efforts by Republicans to cement US President Donald Trump's legacy through symbolic moves, including attempts to rename Dulles International Airport and place Trump's likeness on Mount Rushmore.
Perth Now
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Shock move to rename famed Kennedy Centre after Melania
House Republicans have voted to rename the opera house at Washington's John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in honour of First Lady Melania Trump. The newly proposed name, the First Lady Melania Trump Opera House, was included as an amendment to a spending bill for the Interior Department. The House Appropriations Committee adopted the amendment by a 33-25 vote. The move comes after lawmakers approved $US256.7 million ($AU390m) for improvements to the Kennedy Centre, highlighting the growing influence of US President Donald Trump over the institution. Since taking office, Mr Trump fired several Kennedy Centre board members and appointed himself chairman. During a tour of the facility in March 2025, he pledged to 'make it great again'. 'I'm very disappointed when I look around. The bottom line: It has tremendous potential,' Mr Trump said. While the change has passed this committee vote, the name switch for the 2364-seat opera house still faces hurdles as it must be approved by both the full House and the Senate before becoming official. With Republicans holding 53 Senate seats but needing 60 votes to pass spending bills, the measure's future remains uncertain. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, who introduced the amendment, said renaming the venue is an 'excellent way to recognise her support and commitment to promoting the arts'. Critics argue the proposal is a politicised gesture inserted into essential funding legislation. The Kennedy Centre has yet to comment on the renaming initiative, which is part of broader efforts by Republicans to cement US President Donald Trump's legacy through symbolic moves, including attempts to rename Dulles International Airport and place Trump's likeness on Mount Rushmore.
Sky News AU
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘First Lady Melania Trump Opera House': Republicans vote to rename opera house
House Republicans have voted to rename the John F. Kennedy Center opera house after First Lady Melania Trump. The name change was included in an amendment for a spending bill for the Interior Department. The proposed name of the venue is the "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House". Lawmakers had previously approved spending of $US256.7 million for improvement to the centre. The committee adopted the amendment 33-25. The name change remains uncertain as the bill will need to pass the House and the Senate. US President Donald Trump fired board members of the Kennedy Center when he took office and appointed himself chairman. During a tour of the facility in March of 2025, he vowed to "make it great again". "I'm very disappointed when I look around. The bottom line: It has tremendous potential," Trump said.
