1963 – The assassination of President John F. Kennedy prompts Congress to create a “living memorial” in the performing‑arts complex that later becomes the Kennedy Center, establishing its dual cultural and commemorative purpose [2].

1964 – Federal law enacted that limits the Kennedy Center’s exterior naming to the original memorial designation and requires any future name change to obtain congressional approval [2].

Early 2025 – President Donald J. Trump, after appointing a new board, assumes the chairmanship of the Kennedy Center and initiates a sweeping leadership overhaul, signaling a shift in governance and programming direction [7].

Dec 20 2025 (approx.) – The Kennedy Center board votes unanimously to rename the institution “The Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” adds new signage to the façade, and updates its website and social‑media handles, triggering immediate controversy [2][5].

Dec 24 2025 – The Center cancels its annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam after the renaming, posts the cancellation on its own listings, and notes that a 1964 law bars adding another person’s name to the exterior; artists such as Issa Rae, Peter Wolf and Lin‑Manuel Miranda also withdraw from scheduled performances [9].

Dec 25 2025 – Rep. Joyce Beatty files a federal lawsuit challenging the board’s authority to rename the Center, arguing the change violates the 1964 statute, while Trump’s leadership continues to pursue renovations and new funding streams [5].

Dec 26 2025 – Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell announces a $1 million damages claim against drummer Chuck Redd for canceling the Christmas Eve concert, labeling the withdrawal a “political stunt” that harms the nonprofit [6].

Dec 27 2025 – Grenell issues a public letter condemning Redd’s last‑minute cancellation, reiterates the $1 million claim, and blames the prior “far‑left” board for booking the artists; the Associated Press reports the letter, adding independent corroboration [4][8].

Dec 27 2025 – Legal scholars and Kennedy family members, including Kerry Kennedy and Joe Kennedy III, publicly question the legality of the renaming, citing the 1964 law and pledging to seek removal of Trump’s name once he leaves office [6].

Dec 30 2025 – A fresh wave of cancellations erupts: The Cookers pull their New Year’s Eve performance, Doug Varone and Dancers drop April shows, and folk singer Kristy Lee cancels a Jan 14 concert, all citing the Trump name change as incompatible with their artistic values [3][7].

Dec 30 2025 – Grenell describes the artist withdrawals as “derangement syndrome,” accuses the previous leadership of politicizing bookings, and reiterates the Center’s intent to seek $1 million in damages from Redd while noting an influx of artists willing to perform under the new name [7][1].

Dec 30 2025 – Two additional musicians, The Cookers and Doug Varone and Dancers, announce the cancellation of New Year’s Eve and April performances respectively, and Grenell formally demands $1 million in damages from Chuck Redd for the earlier Christmas Eve cancellation [1].

Jan 14 2026 (planned) – Kristy Lee’s scheduled Kennedy Center concert remains canceled, reflecting ongoing artist resistance to the renamed venue [3].

Apr 2026 (planned) – Doug Varone and Dancers’ April performances stay canceled, underscoring the lasting impact of the renaming on the Center’s programming calendar [3].

Future – The Beatty lawsuit proceeds in federal court, and congressional oversight hearings are expected as lawmakers examine whether the board exceeded its statutory authority to add Trump’s name to the memorial [2][7].