President Donald Trump is eyeing Live Nation Entertainment – the parent company of Ticketmaster – to take over ticketing at the Kennedy Center as he further puts his stamp on the performing arts venue.
The president famously had his name added to the exterior of the building in mid-December, with the White House pushing that it now be referred to as the ‘Trump Kennedy Center.’
Democratic lawmakers have sued over the name change, pointing out that the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was designated as a living memorial to JFK, and renaming it would take an act of Congress.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday night that Kennedy Center officials are looking at changing how ticketing is handled, having discussions with Live Nation.
Ambassador Ric Grenell, who Trump appointed to serve as the interim executive director of the center a year ago, was named to the board of Live Nation in May.
Elliot Berke, who serves as the center’s general counsel, told the Daily Mail that Grenell has been ‘recused from all conversations about changes to our ticketing system since day one.’
A Kennedy Center source also told the Daily Mail that conversations with Ticketmaster began during the Biden administration in January 2024.
President Donald Trump is eyeing Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, to take over ticketing at the Kennedy Center, which the president had his name added to in mid-December
Workers can be seen adding President Donald Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center in December. Trump announced last week that the newly renamed performing arts venue would be closed for two years for renovations, surprising some board members
Currently, tickets for shows are purchased directly through the venue’s website.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster have incurred the wrath of the American public due to service fees and a reputation for bad customer service.
Calls for an investigation into the company grew louder in 2022 after Ticketmaster’s botched rollout of tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.
In May 2024, the Department of Justice, also during the Biden administration, sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster ‘for monopolization and other unlawful conduct that thwarts competition in markets across the live entertainment industry.’
The lawsuit is still active despite the change in administration, though Semafor reported on Sunday that Live Nation executives and lobbyists are trying to negotiate a settlement agreement with officials at the DOJ.
The DOJ spokesperson did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.
Trump has taken on another aspect of high-priced concert tickets, signing an executive order in March – alongside MAGA favorite Kid Rock – to help crack down on ticket scalping.
Timing for the ticketing change is up in the air.
In December, President Donald Trump shared his vision for new marble armrests at the Kennedy Center, which his name had been added to days before. He announced last week that the venue would close for two years after July 4 for major renovations
‘My office has taken lead on the issue as we continue to look for ways to modernize the Trump Kennedy Center,’ Berke also said.
Trump made a surprise announcement last week that the venue would be closed for two years after the completion of July 4th festivities for major renovations.
The Journal reported that most of the board was informed of the closure via an email that highlighted the president’s Truth Social post.
In the Oval Office, the president said he would not demolish it – though he’s been critical of the Kennedy Center’s addition, the Reach.
The Kennedy Center is likely to get a Trumpian touch, with the president already sharing what kind of marble he would like for the Kennedy Center’s seats.
The Journal reported that Trump has the cell phone number of the head of building maintenance, whom he calls to get updates on marble installation and plumbing.
Trump is doing a number of things to cement his architectural legacy in Washington, DC.
In October, he had the White House’s East Wing demolished – without any historic preservation oversight – to make way for his White House ballroom.
He shared more images of the ballroom’s current design on Truth Social this week, which show off its massive scale, as Trump has teased that the new construction will be as tall as the historic White House residence.
Trump also plans to construct a large arch – nicknamed the ‘arc de Trump’ – across the Potomac River from D.C. to commemorate the U.S.’s 250th birthday.
The president is leaning toward a 250-foot-high design, prompting concerns that the massive structure could interfere with the flight path to Reagan National Airport.
Trump has also pushed for a revitalization of Pennsylvania Avenue and other downtown D.C. streets.
He’s also ordered his administration to sell off underutilized federal buildings in Washington, D.C., which could have a major impact on the look of the area around the National Mall.
