Kennedy Center Updates Its Logo to ‘The Trump Kennedy Center’ as JFK’s Family Speaks Out Against Change

The Kennedy Center is already signaling a shift in identity after its board approved a new name: The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

On Thursday, Dec. 18, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board had voted to rename the longtime JFK memorial in Washington, D.C., to include the sitting president.

Within hours, the Kennedy Center updated its website branding and social media icons, swapping in a revised logo that reads “The Trump Kennedy Center.”

The Kennedy Center was established by Congress as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy one year after his assassination. Kennedy, a strong supporter of the arts, frequently spoke about what he called “our contribution to the human spirit,” as noted on the center’s website.

After taking office in January, President Donald Trump moved to reshape the institution’s leadership, appointing allies to the board. The board then elected him chairman. Since the summer, Trump has periodically referred to the building as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” in speeches and social media posts.

Kennedy family members respond

After news of the vote spread, several members of the Kennedy family voiced criticism online.

Maria Shriver, JFK’s niece, called the decision “downright weird,” objecting to a presidential memorial placing a sitting president’s name ahead of her uncle’s.

“The Kennedy Center was named after my uncle, President John F Kennedy. It was named in his honor,” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. Shriver highlighted Kennedy’s interest in the arts and culture, adding that he and Jacqueline Kennedy helped elevate the arts in the White House.

“It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy,” she continued. “It is beyond wild that he would think adding his name in front of President Kennedy’s name is acceptable. It is not.”

Shriver also warned that the move could set a precedent, listing other landmarks she feared might be targeted next. “Can we not see what is happening here? C’mon, my fellow Americans! Wake up! This is not dignified. This is not funny. This is way beneath the stature of the job. It’s downright weird. It’s obsessive in a weird way,” she wrote.

Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s only grandson, pointed to reports that the vote was not unanimous, contradicting how the outcome was presented publicly.

“Microphones were muted and the board meeting and vote NOT unanimous,” he wrote on X. Schlossberg also suggested the dispute might be connected to his congressional campaign: “I’m told Trump explicitly motivated to act by JACK FOR NEW YORK. Our campaign represents everything Trump can’t stand or defeat.”

His comments echoed claims from Ohio Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio Kennedy Center board member, who alleged that when she attempted to oppose the change during the Dec. 18 meeting, her microphone was muted.

In a separate Instagram post, Schlossberg urged supporters to rally behind him: “SEND ME TO CONGRESS TO SMOKE THESE FOOLS — MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR. I won’t back down or be drowned out.”

Joe Kennedy III, the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, also weighed in, arguing the board’s vote doesn’t settle the matter.

“The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law,” he wrote. “It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”