Kerry Kennedy, the niece of JFK, has expressed vehement opposition to the recent addition of President Donald Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center. The controversial move, which took place on December 19, saw Trump’s name affixed to the historic venue. After a vote by a board perceived to be pro-Trump, workers made the change to include “The Donald Trump and” alongside the existing lettering that reads “The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Kennedy-Center-2025-Kerry-Kennedy-University-of-Deusto-2024-121925-7a3cc08a88f04176ae0ae2d8c18b4fad.jpg)
In response to this alteration, Kerry Kennedy announced her intention to physically remove Trump’s name using a pickaxe. She declared her determined stance in a post, stating, “Three years and one month from today, I’m going to grab a pickaxe and pull those letters off that building, but I’m going to need help holding the ladder.” Kennedy also encouraged others to join her in this effort, adding a touch of humour by mentioning she would be applying for a carpenter’s card to ensure it is a union job.
Maria Shriver, another member of the Kennedy family, also voiced her disapproval of Trump’s name being added to the memorial. In a post echoing Kennedy’s sentiments, Shriver emphasised that attaching one’s name to a monument honouring a great figure does not elevate one’s own standing. She questioned the motive behind this action and highlighted that no other president had made such a choice, asserting that the building’s original name as a memorial to JFK should stand without alteration.
The Kennedys have raised concerns about the legality of renaming the Kennedy Center after Trump, with JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, pointing out specific legislation that prohibits additional memorials or plaques within the public areas of the venue. Schlossberg emphasised that this legal restriction should prevent any changes to the building’s name, reinforcing the stance that the Kennedy Center should continue to honour JFK without alterations.
Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty, a member of the Kennedy Center board, disputed claims made by the White House that the decision to rename the venue was unanimous. Beatty highlighted that dissenting voices were silenced during the conference call where the vote occurred, emphasising that the Congress, as the creator of the Kennedy Center, should have the final say in any decision regarding its name. By silencing opposition and deviating from due processes, Beatty asserted that the move to rename the center represents an evasion of legal procedures.
The controversy surrounding the addition of Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center underscores the deep-rooted sentiments and passionate convictions held by the Kennedy family and their allies. As discussions continue regarding the propriety and legality of this decision, the legacy of the Kennedy Center as a tribute to JFK remains at the forefront of the debate. The clash between political figures and the enduring memory of an American icon encapsulates the ongoing struggle to preserve historical integrity amidst contemporary political divisions.