Maria Shriver and several members of the Kennedy family have reacted with anger and disbelief to news that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is slated to undergo a controversial name change that would add Donald Trump’s name to the iconic cultural institution. The proposal, which would rename the landmark the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts — informally referred to as the “Trump-Kennedy Center” — has ignited a firestorm of criticism, particularly from the family of the late president for whom the center was originally created as a living memorial.

For many observers, the announcement felt like another provocative move from a president known for courting controversy. Critics have already mocked what they describe as Trump’s fondness for self-branding, pointing to previous efforts to leave his personal stamp on public spaces. Still, even among those accustomed to such behavior, the idea of placing Trump’s name alongside John F. Kennedy’s at one of the nation’s most revered cultural institutions struck a nerve.

According to reporting by The Washington Post, the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees justified its decision by crediting Trump with efforts they say saved the institution from financial collapse and physical deterioration. However, critics have been quick to note that Trump currently serves as chairman of the board, personally selected 14 new board members, and has openly expressed his desire for years to see his name attached to the building. To many, these factors have cast doubt on the independence of the decision-making process.

The backlash from the Kennedy family was swift and intense. Maria Shriver, the niece of President John F. Kennedy and a longtime critic of Donald Trump, took to social media to voice her outrage. In an impassioned post, she wrote that it was “beyond wild” for Trump to believe that adding his name ahead of her uncle’s would be acceptable. She emphasized that such an act was not only inappropriate but deeply disrespectful to the legacy of a president whose name the center was meant to honor.

Shriver went on to suggest, with biting sarcasm, that the renaming could set a dangerous precedent. She questioned whether Trump might next attempt to rename JFK Airport or even national monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial or Jefferson Memorial, inserting his own name into the nation’s historical landmarks. Her comments resonated widely, reflecting a broader concern that the move represented more than a simple administrative change — it symbolized, to critics, an erosion of respect for historical memory.

Her brother, Timothy Shriver, echoed those sentiments with equal force. Writing on Instagram, he reminded followers that the Kennedy Center is not merely named after John F. Kennedy but serves as the memorial to the fallen president. He questioned whether the board truly understood the gravity of what they were proposing, asking rhetorically whether anyone would ever consider renaming the Lincoln or Jefferson memorials. To do so, he argued, would be an insult to presidents who shaped the nation’s history.

Other members of the extended Kennedy family also weighed in, highlighting not only emotional objections but procedural concerns as well. Jack Schlossberg, President Kennedy’s grandson, claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that the board meeting in which the vote occurred was far from transparent. According to him, microphones were muted during the meeting and the final vote was not unanimous. His claims were supported by Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex officio board member, who stated that although she participated by phone, she was prevented from formally objecting to the vote.

Katherine Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver’s daughter, chose a quieter but no less pointed form of protest. She shared an image on her Instagram Stories of the iconic bust of President Kennedy, accompanied by the single word “Unreal,” signaling her disbelief and dismay over the unfolding situation. The understated post nevertheless captured the emotional weight many in the family felt.

Beyond the emotional and symbolic objections, legal questions have emerged that could complicate or even halt the renaming process. Joe Kennedy III, the great-nephew of President Kennedy, pointed out on X that the Kennedy Center was designated as a memorial by federal law. According to him, the institution cannot simply be renamed at the discretion of a board, regardless of political power or influence. He argued that changing its name would be as legally implausible as renaming the Lincoln Memorial.

This legal argument is reportedly gaining traction among prominent Democrats, who are preparing to challenge the decision if it moves forward. They maintain that the Kennedy Center’s name is protected precisely because it was established to honor a fallen president, and altering it would undermine the purpose for which it was created. Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s sister, reinforced this position with a scathing public statement.

In her remarks, Kerry Kennedy accused Trump and his administration of spending the past year suppressing free expression and targeting artists, journalists, and comedians — groups that the Kennedy Center has historically celebrated and supported. She argued that Trump’s values stand in stark contrast to those of her uncle, whose presidency championed the arts, culture, and intellectual freedom. For her, the proposed renaming was not just offensive, but emblematic of a broader cultural shift she finds deeply troubling.

The controversy is further complicated by the position of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who now leads Trump’s MAHA movement. While he has not publicly commented on the issue, his silence has only added to speculation about potential rifts within the already complex Kennedy family dynamic. With relatives on both sides of the political spectrum reacting strongly, the debate has become both a public and deeply personal matter.

As of now, the outcome remains uncertain. The combination of family outrage, procedural disputes, and possible legal challenges suggests that the renaming may face significant obstacles. Yet Trump’s influence over the board and his history of defying convention mean that nothing can be ruled out.

For many observers, the true test will come with future events hosted by the institution. If the 2026 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony ultimately includes Trump’s name in its official title, it will signal that opposition — both emotional and legal — has failed to stop the change. Until then, the battle over the Kennedy Center’s identity stands as a striking example of how history, politics, and legacy can collide in ways that are as symbolic as they are divisive.