Barbra Streisand has launched a blistering public criticism of President Donald Trump as the battle over the future of the Kennedy Center intensifies in Washington.
The legendary singer and actress took direct aim at Trump in a September 17 statement, objecting to his efforts to have his name associated with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and questioning the controversy surrounding its planned renovation.
Streisand, who received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2008, accused Trump of allowing what she called his “unchecked ego” to become part of a dispute involving one of America’s best-known cultural institutions. Her characterization was her own criticism of the president, rather than a finding by the courts.
The remarks add another high-profile voice to an increasingly complicated fight involving Trump, the Kennedy Center’s board, federal judges, Congress and members of the Kennedy family.
Streisand Blasts Trump Over Kennedy Center Fight
Streisand explained that her criticism stems partly from her personal history with the Kennedy Center.
She was included in the 31st class of Kennedy Center Honorees in 2008, an award recognizing major contributions to American culture.
In her September statement, Streisand said the honor represented something larger to her than individual career achievement. She described the institution as an important symbol of the role the arts play in American public life.
That history, she argued, makes the current controversy especially troubling.
Streisand criticized the struggle over Trump’s name and questioned why the building was being closed for major renovation after courts blocked efforts to place his name on the facility.
Her statement used unusually sharp language, describing the situation as painful to watch and portraying the dispute as being driven by Trump’s desire for recognition.
Trump and officials aligned with him have offered a very different explanation, arguing that the building requires extensive work and that the president’s involvement has helped secure its future.
Trump Says Kennedy Center Needs Major Renovation
The Kennedy Center board voted on September 15 to close the building for extensive renovations.
The project is expected to involve approximately $257 million in congressionally approved funding, according to Reuters. The building could remain closed for as long as two years while work is completed.
Trump has described the renovation as necessary because of the condition of the facility.
The president has also emphasized his fundraising efforts and his role in reshaping the Kennedy Center since returning to the White House.
But the renovation has become intertwined with a separate legal dispute over whether Trump’s name can appear on the building.
Trump said after the board’s September vote that the reconstruction would not proceed if courts ultimately rejected the board’s effort involving his name.
That position immediately intensified an already bitter debate about the Kennedy Center’s identity and future.
Judge Says Congress Must Approve Name Change
The fight is complicated by the Kennedy Center’s unusual legal status.
The institution is not simply another privately named entertainment venue.
Congress designated the National Cultural Center as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy after his assassination, establishing a direct legal connection between the building and the late president. Streisand highlighted that history in her statement.
Federal courts have consequently rejected attempts to change the building’s name without congressional approval.
A federal judge ruled that the Kennedy Center’s governing body could not independently turn the facility into a memorial honoring Trump.
Reuters reported that another court order on September 15 blocked an effort to restore Trump’s name to the building’s facade and concluded that congressional action would be required for such a change.
That ruling is central to the current controversy.
Trump’s Justice Department has pursued an appeal, meaning the legal dispute is not necessarily over.
Trump Defends His Kennedy Center Role
While Streisand portrayed the controversy as a dispute over Trump’s personal recognition, Trump has defended his actions by focusing on renovations, finances and his involvement with the institution.
Trump became chairman of the Kennedy Center board after returning to office and installing new members.
His administration and allies have argued that substantial changes were needed at the institution.
Trump has also repeatedly pointed to money raised or secured for the Kennedy Center as evidence of his contribution.
The $257 million renovation funding reported in connection with the current project was approved by Congress. Trump has separately discussed private fundraising efforts associated with the center.
The competing explanations have turned what might otherwise have been a construction project into a national political and cultural controversy.
Streisand Questions Trump’s Motivation
Streisand’s statement made clear that she does not accept Trump’s explanation of events.
She pointed to the timing of the renovation announcement and questioned why closing the Kennedy Center had not been discussed earlier.
Streisand suggested that the sequence of events raised questions about whether the closure was connected to Trump’s failure to secure the naming change he wanted.
That is Streisand’s interpretation of events.
Trump and Kennedy Center officials have cited safety concerns and the need for major reconstruction as reasons for closing the building. Reuters reported that the board approved the closure following the latest court decision in the naming dispute.
The clash therefore involves not only disagreement over what should happen to the building, but also fundamentally different claims about why those changes are taking place.
Kennedy Family Has Objected to Trump Name Change
Streisand is also not alone in opposing efforts to associate Trump’s name with the Kennedy Center.
Members of President Kennedy’s extended family have previously criticized attempts to change the identity of the institution.
Their objections center on the argument that the building was specifically created as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy and should remain that way.
The issue carries particular symbolism because the Kennedy Center was formally connected to JFK through congressional action following his 1963 assassination.
That history also explains why courts have focused on Congress rather than simply the Kennedy Center board when considering whether the name can legally be changed.
Kennedy Center Controversy Keeps Growing
The dispute has expanded considerably beyond a disagreement about signage.
It now involves renovation funding, building safety, federal court orders, congressional authority, artistic programming and the power of the Kennedy Center’s governing board.
Following the closure, fencing was erected around the building. Officials have maintained that substantial repairs are necessary, while critics have challenged both the closure and the administration’s handling of the center.
A federal judge subsequently required the Kennedy Center to provide advance notice before major physical alterations to the property, adding yet another legal dimension to the controversy.
Trump, meanwhile, has continued to defend his involvement and has emphasized his efforts to raise money and renovate the facility.
Streisand’s Long History of Political Commentary
Streisand’s criticism is unlikely to surprise people familiar with her political activism.
She has publicly criticized Trump for years and has frequently spoken about national politics and public policy.
Her latest statement nevertheless carries additional significance because of her personal association with the Kennedy Center.
As a past Kennedy Center Honoree, Streisand framed her objections around what she believes the institution is supposed to represent.
For supporters of Trump’s changes, however, the more immediate issue is whether the aging facility requires a major overhaul and whether his administration deserves recognition for directing attention and resources toward it.
Those competing views remain at the center of the controversy.
What Happens Next?
Several major questions remain unresolved.
The legal fight over Trump’s name could continue through the appeals process.
The Kennedy Center’s renovation plans will also remain under scrutiny as work proceeds and courts consider challenges surrounding the building.
Congress could theoretically become involved as well, particularly because federal judges have said congressional authorization is necessary for a formal change involving the center’s memorial status.
For now, Streisand has made her position unmistakable.
She views the fight as an unwelcome transformation of an institution she associates with John F. Kennedy, American culture and her own Kennedy Center Honor.
Trump sees his role differently, emphasizing his leadership, fundraising and plans to renovate the facility.
With litigation continuing and the Kennedy Center temporarily closed, the argument over one of Washington’s most recognizable cultural landmarks appears far from finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Barbra Streisand criticizing Donald Trump?
Streisand objects to efforts to associate Trump’s name with the Kennedy Center and has argued that the controversy has distracted from the institution’s purpose as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
Why is the Kennedy Center closing?
The Kennedy Center board voted to close the building for a major renovation. Officials have cited safety and reconstruction needs, and approximately $257 million in congressionally approved funding is associated with the project.
Can Trump rename the Kennedy Center?
Federal courts have ruled that the Kennedy Center board cannot unilaterally make the relevant memorial naming change and that congressional authorization is required. The dispute remains subject to further litigation.
Was Barbra Streisand honored by the Kennedy Center?
Yes. Streisand was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2008, as part of the institution’s 31st annual class.
How much money is going toward Kennedy Center renovations?
Approximately $257 million in federal funding was approved by Congress for renovation work, according to Reuters. Trump has separately discussed private fundraising connected to the institution.
