Bill Proposes Renaming Kennedy Center After Former President Trump
Maria Shriver responds to Republican congressman's legislation
A Republican representative from Missouri, Bob Onder, has introduced legislation that would rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the 'Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts.' The proposal represents a significant potential change for the Washington, DC performing arts venue that has carried President Kennedy's name since its founding.
Maria Shriver, niece of President John F. Kennedy and former First Lady of California, expressed strong disagreement with the proposal on social media. Her response came shortly after the legislation was introduced. This proposal follows another recent Republican initiative to name the opera house within the Kennedy Center after First Lady Melania Trump.
KEY POINTS
- •Bill would rename Kennedy Center
- •JFK's niece opposes the proposal
- •Funding approved for renovations
Earlier in 2025, the administration made changes to the Kennedy Center's governance structure. The center traditionally maintained bipartisan representation on its board of trustees. Following these changes, former President Trump assumed the position of chairman, replacing David Rubenstein who previously held the role.
The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act included approximately $257 million allocated for Kennedy Center renovations. This funding package was part of the administration's signature legislative initiative that received congressional approval earlier in July. The Kennedy Center continues to serve as a major cultural institution in the nation's capital.