Sen. Van Hollen, drag queen among protestors outside new Trump-Kennedy Center after name change

Van Hollen says Trump's name will eventually come off of the building.

Published: December 20, 2025 4:26pm

Updated: December 20, 2025 5:23pm

A drag queen that goes by the name of Tara Hoot and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., were among the demonstrators outside of the Kennedy Center on Saturday protesting its new name approved by the board this week: The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

Trump's name was added to the exterior of the building on Friday.

"Make no mistake about it. This illegal overreach is serious," said Hoot. "Don't lose hope." 

Hoot called for more protests and additional support for the workers at the center who are trying to unionize. 

Van Hollen delivered remarks to the group of protesters, saying that Trump's name would eventually come off of the building, according to video posted online.

 

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