JFK's family erupts over "Trump-Kennedy Center" renaming plan
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President Trump stands in the presidential box during a tour of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C, in March. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Kennedy family members on Thursday denounced a plan to rename the Kennedy Center so it includes President Trump's surname.
The big picture: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the "Trump-Kennedy Center" name change earlier Thursday after a board that the president handpicked earlier this year voted unanimously to rename the performing arts venue.
- Democrats have vowed to fight the plan, saying the name change can't happen without an act of Congress.
What they're saying:
Jack Schlossberg, President John F. Kennedy's grandson, wrote on X, "Microphones were muted and the board meeting and vote NOT unanimous."
- The Democrat suggested that Trump was "explicitly motivated to act" due to his New York congressional campaign, adding: "Our campaign represents everything Trump can't stand or defeat."
Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.), grandson of former Attorney General and assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, posted on his social media accounts: "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, a lawyer and daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, on her social media accounts accused Trump and his administration of spending 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."
- The president of the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center added: "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, a journalist and daughter of President Kennedy's sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, reposted Leavitt's post on X announcing the name change plan with the comment: "Some things leave you speechless, and enraged, and in a state of disbelief."
- She wrote that it's "better to be quiet" during such times. "For how long, I can't say. TDS in full display," Shriver added, in an apparent reference to "Trump Derangement Syndrome," a term the president has used to describe his critics, including the late director Rob Reiner.
- In another post on her social media accounts, Shriver added: "This is not dignified. This is not funny. This is way beneath the stature of the job. It's downright weird."
- When asked for comment on the criticism by JFK's family members, a spokesperson for the White House referred Axios to Leavitt's X post.
