Maria Shriver, the niece of President John F. Kennedy, is speaking out against the recent Republican proposal to rename the Kennedy Center after Donald and Melania Trump. In a heartfelt post on social media, Shriver didn’t hold back, calling the move “petty” and “small-minded,” and sharing her disbelief at the ongoing efforts to erase her uncle’s legacy.
This controversy arose after House Republicans introduced plans to honor the Trump family by renaming both the Kennedy Center and its Opera House. Shriver took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her frustration: “This is insane. It makes my blood boil. It’s so ridiculous, so petty, so small-minded.
Truly, what is this about? It’s always about something. Let’s get rid of the Rose Garden. Let’s rename the Kennedy Center. What’s next?”
The Kennedy Center, which was dedicated as a memorial to JFK after he was assassinated in 1963, is a cornerstone of American culture, hosting everything from the National Symphony Orchestra to the annual Kennedy Center Honors. Recently, Missouri Rep. Bob Onder introduced the “Make Entertainment Great Again Act,” proposing to change the name to the “Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts,” claiming that Trump embodies a certain kind of American greatness in the arts.
On top of this, Trump has made headlines for reimagining the historic White House Rose Garden, transforming the grassy area into a concrete patio. He defended the decision by saying it’s more practical for hosting events, explaining that the previous soft ground could be tricky for guests, particularly women wearing high heels.
The idea of renaming the Kennedy Center hasn’t sat well with everyone in the Kennedy family. JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, recently pointed out a federal law that prohibits new memorials at the Kennedy Center, clearly stating that this renaming effort is against the rules.
As the debate continues, Maria Shriver remains passionate about keeping JFK’s legacy intact and is not backing down in her efforts to oppose any attempts to undermine it. She stands firmly with her family in ensuring that the values and memory of John F. Kennedy are respected.