The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted to rename the performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center, a decision announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt cited President Trump's "unbelievable work over the last year in saving the building" as the reason for the tribute. The center was originally named in honor of President John F. Kennedy in 1964. Reports indicate that Donald Trump, since the start of his second term, has been reshaping the institution by appointing loyalists to the board and assuming the role of board chair.
Members of the Kennedy family have strongly opposed the name change. Maria Shriver expressed her anger and disbelief, questioning the appropriateness of adding Trump's name to that of her uncle, a president known for his interest in arts, culture, and education. She warned that this move is undignified and indicative of an obsessive behavior. Timothy Shriver suggested that board members might not recognize the center as the primary memorial to JFK and compared the potential renaming to disrespecting other presidential memorials like those of Lincoln and Jefferson. Joe Kennedy III asserted that the Kennedy Center is a living memorial established by federal law and cannot be renamed, irrespective of any board decision. Jack Schlossberg, another Kennedy grandson, attributed the move to Trump's political motivations, suggesting it was a reaction against his congressional campaign. Kerry Kennedy directly criticized Trump's values, stating they are in opposition to President Kennedy's legacy of justice, peace, and equality, and therefore his name should not be associated with the center.