Senator Kennedy Advocates for Ban on Naming Buildings After Living Politicians

Senator John Kennedy, R-La., has proposed a rule to prohibit naming federal buildings and prominent sites after living public officials, a stance articulated as President Donald Trump continues efforts to affix his name to various landmarks. The senator stated on Sunday that living politicians should not "spend public money on private ads for themselves."

This initiative follows a federal appeals court ruling that denied a last-minute appeal to keep Trump's name on the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Workers have begun removing the name from the building, which had been added following a board vote in December. Federal judges had previously blocked multiple attempts by the Trump-appointed board to add the president's name to the building, ruling that only Congress has the authority to rename the center.

Trump's attempts to rename buildings extend beyond the Kennedy Center. His administration also sought to add his name to the U.S. Institute of Peace. However, former institute officials filed a court motion to block the addition of Trump's name to the building's exterior. Additionally, Trump has expressed interest in having New York's Penn Station and Washington's Dulles Airport named after him, and has floated a project for a promenade connecting the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River, which allies suggested naming the "Trump Promenade."

Kennedy voiced his opinion on the matter during an appearance on CBS News' "Face the Nation." He suggested that while the White House might view these actions differently, using public funds for self-promotion is inappropriate. "You can’t spend public money to … promote yourself," Kennedy told host Margaret Brennan.

Kennedy's comments were made in the context of a federally funded advertisement promoting Trump that recently aired on multiple networks. He further elaborated on his proposal, stating, "I may end up with a sombrero on my head, but I also think we ought to have a rule that no politician can have a building named after him when he’s alive."

Previous efforts by Trump's administration to rename federal properties after him have faced legal challenges. In December 2025, workers were seen adding Trump's name to the facade of the Kennedy Center, but this was subsequently ordered removed by courts. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the use of public resources and the naming of federal institutions.