The Kennedy family has expressed disappointment following the announcement that the iconic Kennedy Center will be renamed to include Donald Trump’s name.
Located in Washington, D.C., the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts serves as a memorial to the late president, John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
On December 18, the center’s board unanimously decided to rename the facility as the Trump-Kennedy Center, incorporating both Trump and Kennedy’s names.
Members of the Kennedy family have taken to social media to voice their disapproval of this decision.
Former Democratic representative Joe Kennedy III raised questions regarding the legality of this renaming after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the change on X.
In her post, Leavitt stated: “I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building.
“Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future!
“The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur.”
Joe Kennedy III quickly responded, suggesting that the renaming might not adhere to legal standards.
He commented: “The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law. It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”
Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and niece of John F. Kennedy, also criticized the proposed name change.
Kerry, who heads the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center, argued that Trump and his administration have been stifling artistic expression, a core mission of the center.
The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law. It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says. https://t.co/VpZhNvx7So
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) December 18, 2025
In her own post, she wrote: “President Trump and his administration have spent the past year repressing free expression, targeting artists, journalists, and comedians, and erasing the history of Americans whose contributions made our nation better and more just.
“President Kennedy proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer.
“President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy’s.”
Maria Shriver, the daughter of Kennedy’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, also expressed her disbelief at the decision to change the center’s name.
Donald Trump stated that he was ‘surprised and honored’ upon hearing about the name change.
In discussions with reporters, Trump praised the board members, whom he had appointed earlier in the year.
He remarked: “The board is a very distinguished board, the most distinguished people in the country. We saved the building because it was in such bad shape, physically, financially, and in every other way, and now it’s very solid, very strong.”