Barbra Streisand Blasts Donald Trump Over Kennedy Center Naming Dispute
Image: Image: barbrastreisand.com
Gay icon Barbra Streisand has spoken out over a battle for naming rights for Washington’s Kennedy Center, an institution that honoured her nearly two decades ago.
The singer and actor, 84, has criticised Donald Trump following renewed attempts to attach his name to the performing arts venue and the announcement that it would close for major renovations.
She is yet another prominent voice in opposition to the move that has already brought drag performers and arts supporters into direct confrontation with the president.
The Kennedy Center drama
In June 2025 four drag artists attended the opening night of Les Misérables alongside Trump. Tara Hoot, Vagenesis, Mari Con Carne and Ricky Rosé secured donated tickets through drag activism network Qommittee, a drag activism network which has called on Kennedy Center donors to suspend funding in protest of the president’s changes after he attempted to attach his name to the historic venue.
Their attendance followed Trump’s takeover of the centre that February, which included replacing trustees, becoming chairman and targeting drag programming. The performers used their presence to defend queer visibility and artistic freedom, while Trump’s arrival attracted both boos and supportive chants.
This week a US judge ruled that, despite numerous attempts, Trump was not legally allowed to add his name to the historic arts centre. Following the news, the board, chaired by Trump, voted to close the building temporarily, citing safety concerns.
Prior to the decision, Trump had stated that “if the ruling is a negative one, which it should not be, and is not overturned by the US Supreme Court, the Reconstruction and the Renovation of The Kennedy Center will not take place.”
Following the news this week Barbara Streisand posted a public statement to her website.
She described the centre as “one of America’s great cultural venues” where she said, “many of the world’s most accomplished actors, musicians, singers and dancers have graced its stages.”
“In 2008, I was deeply honored to be included in the 31st annual class of Kennedy Center Honorees,” she wrote.
“For me, and for so many artists, that honor represented something larger than a career recognition. It represented a belief in the importance of art to the life of a democracy.”
The Funny Girl star continued: “That is why what is happening to the Kennedy Center is so galling and painful to witness.”
She took aim at the board and their decision to close the centre following the judge’s ruling stating that “a thoroughly defeated Trump has announced that the Kennedy Center is being closed for what the completely stacked board describes as a major renovation. Oddly, when Trump’s name was still on the building, there was no discussion of closing it!”
“You can easily imagine my indignation at seeing this revered institution become the subject of such a bitter struggle over one man’s name and unchecked ego.”
Her statement ended with an appeal to Americans ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Invoking Kennedy’s support for creative expression, she argued that the centre should remain a place where artists challenge audiences, inspire debate and bring people together.
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