Family of JFK Call BS on Trump Shuttering of Kennedy Center
Kennedy’s niece, Maria Shriver said, “since the name-change” to honor Trump “no one wants to perform there any longer.”
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, who is currently running for Congress, speaks to members of the New York State Nurses Association before joining the picket line in support of nurses on strike outside Mount Sinai West on January 12, 2026, in New York City.
(Photo by Edna Leshowitz/Getty Images)
Stephen Prager
Feb 02, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
The descendants of former President John F. Kennedy are denouncing President Donald Trump’s order to shutter the Kennedy Center and calling bullshit on his reasons for doing so.
On Sunday, Trump abruptly announced on Truth Social that beginning on July 4, the performing arts center in Washington, DC, which he recently renamed after himself, would shut down for two years for “Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding.”
Trump said the decision was based on input from a group of “many Highly Respected experts,” who said the center was “tired, broken, and dilapidated” and needed to be shut down for a facelift.
However, the family of the center’s namesake said it has more to do with the recent pullout of talent in protest after it became the “Trump-Kennedy Center” last year and the president began asserting control over its programming, which included the world premiere of a hagiographic documentary about his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, this weekend.
In a post on social media, JFK’s niece, Maria Shriver, gave what she said was a “translation” of Trump’s comments about the center’s sudden closure.
She suggested the president meant to say: “It has been brought to my attention that due to the name change (but nobody’s telling me it’s due to the name change), but it’s been brought to my attention that entertainers are canceling left and right, and I have determined that since the name change no one wants to perform there any longer.”
Speaking as Trump, she continued: “I’ve determined that due to this change in schedule, it’s best for me to close this center down and rebuild a new center that will bear my name, which will surely get everybody to stop talking about the fact that everybody’s canceling... right?”
Among those who have pulled out of planned performances at the center are the Washington National Opera, Lincoln composer Philip Glass, the Broadway show Hamilton, the actress and producer Issa Rae, and several others—many of whom directly cited Trump’s takeover as their reason.
Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, who is running for Congress as a Democrat in New York, was even more direct in his condemnation.
“Trump can take the Kennedy Center for himself. He can change the name, shut the doors, and demolish the building. He can try to kill JFK,” he wrote. “But JFK is kept alive by us now rising up to remove Donald Trump, bring him to justice, and restore the freedoms generations fought for.”
Trump faces intense ridicule after new Kennedy Center announcement
U.S. President Donald Trump on board Air Force One, January 31, 2026
Kennedy’s niece, Maria Shriver said, “since the name-change” to honor Trump “no one wants to perform there any longer.”
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, who is currently running for Congress, speaks to members of the New York State Nurses Association before joining the picket line in support of nurses on strike outside Mount Sinai West on January 12, 2026, in New York City.
(Photo by Edna Leshowitz/Getty Images)
Stephen Prager
Feb 02, 2026
COMMON DREAMS
The descendants of former President John F. Kennedy are denouncing President Donald Trump’s order to shutter the Kennedy Center and calling bullshit on his reasons for doing so.
On Sunday, Trump abruptly announced on Truth Social that beginning on July 4, the performing arts center in Washington, DC, which he recently renamed after himself, would shut down for two years for “Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding.”
Trump said the decision was based on input from a group of “many Highly Respected experts,” who said the center was “tired, broken, and dilapidated” and needed to be shut down for a facelift.
However, the family of the center’s namesake said it has more to do with the recent pullout of talent in protest after it became the “Trump-Kennedy Center” last year and the president began asserting control over its programming, which included the world premiere of a hagiographic documentary about his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, this weekend.
In a post on social media, JFK’s niece, Maria Shriver, gave what she said was a “translation” of Trump’s comments about the center’s sudden closure.
She suggested the president meant to say: “It has been brought to my attention that due to the name change (but nobody’s telling me it’s due to the name change), but it’s been brought to my attention that entertainers are canceling left and right, and I have determined that since the name change no one wants to perform there any longer.”
Speaking as Trump, she continued: “I’ve determined that due to this change in schedule, it’s best for me to close this center down and rebuild a new center that will bear my name, which will surely get everybody to stop talking about the fact that everybody’s canceling... right?”
Among those who have pulled out of planned performances at the center are the Washington National Opera, Lincoln composer Philip Glass, the Broadway show Hamilton, the actress and producer Issa Rae, and several others—many of whom directly cited Trump’s takeover as their reason.
Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, who is running for Congress as a Democrat in New York, was even more direct in his condemnation.
“Trump can take the Kennedy Center for himself. He can change the name, shut the doors, and demolish the building. He can try to kill JFK,” he wrote. “But JFK is kept alive by us now rising up to remove Donald Trump, bring him to justice, and restore the freedoms generations fought for.”
Trump faces intense ridicule after new Kennedy Center announcement
U.S. President Donald Trump on board Air Force One, January 31, 2026
February 02, 2026
ALTERNET
On Sunday, February 1, President Donald Trump announced that the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. will be closing for two years for renovations. The Kennedy Center, Trump said, will close on July 4 — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence — and reopen, post-renovations, in 2028.
Trump's announcement is receiving a lot of reactions on X, formerly Twitter.
CNN's Jake Tapper noted, "Oct 1, WaPo: sales for orchestra/theater/dance performances worst since pandemic Jan 2, PBS: Kennedy Center faces artist cancellations, drop in sales after Trump's name added Feb 1, Trump closes K. Center for 2 yrs 'for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding.'"
Journalist Karly Kingsley tweeted, "Trump says he's closing the Kennedy Center for two years for 'construction, revitalization, and complete rebuilding.' That's code for no one will perform there since he took over and he doesn’t want another public reminder that artists and audiences overwhelmingly despise him."
Democratic activist Melanie D'Arrigo wrote, "At least 18 artists have canceled shows at the Kennedy Center during Trump’s 2nd term. Closing it down is less embarrassing for him than artists continuing to cancel because of him."
Russell Drew tweeted, "Of course Donald Trump is now closing down the Kennedy Center. With ticket sales plummeting and top artists staying far away ever since he branded his name on the building, he's getting his revenge. He's been like this his whole life."
A parody account inspired by Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom — who is relentless in trolling Trump — posted, in all caps, "DONALD IS CLOSING THE KENNEDY CENTER. (AFTER DESTROYING IT.) BUT DON'T BE SAD! I'M OPENING A NEW ARTS CENTER CALLED, 'NOT A TRUMP CENTER.'EVERY ARTIST IS CALLING ME! FIRST SHOW IS TAYLOR, BRUCE & BAD BUNNY. KID ROCK & NICKI ARE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING NIGHT (AT ARBY'S.)."
On Sunday, February 1, President Donald Trump announced that the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. will be closing for two years for renovations. The Kennedy Center, Trump said, will close on July 4 — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence — and reopen, post-renovations, in 2028.
Trump's announcement is receiving a lot of reactions on X, formerly Twitter.
CNN's Jake Tapper noted, "Oct 1, WaPo: sales for orchestra/theater/dance performances worst since pandemic Jan 2, PBS: Kennedy Center faces artist cancellations, drop in sales after Trump's name added Feb 1, Trump closes K. Center for 2 yrs 'for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding.'"
Journalist Karly Kingsley tweeted, "Trump says he's closing the Kennedy Center for two years for 'construction, revitalization, and complete rebuilding.' That's code for no one will perform there since he took over and he doesn’t want another public reminder that artists and audiences overwhelmingly despise him."
Democratic activist Melanie D'Arrigo wrote, "At least 18 artists have canceled shows at the Kennedy Center during Trump’s 2nd term. Closing it down is less embarrassing for him than artists continuing to cancel because of him."
Russell Drew tweeted, "Of course Donald Trump is now closing down the Kennedy Center. With ticket sales plummeting and top artists staying far away ever since he branded his name on the building, he's getting his revenge. He's been like this his whole life."
A parody account inspired by Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom — who is relentless in trolling Trump — posted, in all caps, "DONALD IS CLOSING THE KENNEDY CENTER. (AFTER DESTROYING IT.) BUT DON'T BE SAD! I'M OPENING A NEW ARTS CENTER CALLED, 'NOT A TRUMP CENTER.'EVERY ARTIST IS CALLING ME! FIRST SHOW IS TAYLOR, BRUCE & BAD BUNNY. KID ROCK & NICKI ARE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING NIGHT (AT ARBY'S.)."
Kennedy Center's image had 'fallen apart' due to Trump's meddling: analysis
Donald Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, attends a New Year's Eve event at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 31, 2024. REUTERS/Marco Bello
February 02, 2026
ALTERNET
Donald Trump made the surprise announcement over the weekend that the Kennedy Center would be closing down for a years-long renovation project, with an analysis from The New Republic stating that this move came after the center's prestigious image had "fallen apart" due to his meddling.
The president announced in a Truth Social post Sunday evening that the center, which he had recently attempted to add his own name to, would be shutting down for a two-year period starting on July 4, "in honor of the 250th Anniversary of our Country," in order to conduct a two-year renovation he deemed necessary after a "year review."
“Financing is completed, and fully in place!” Trump's post read. “This important decision, based on input from many Highly Respected Experts, will take a tired, broken, and dilapidated Center, one that has been in bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years, and turn it into a World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment, far better than it has ever been before.”
Despite his stated reasoning for the closure, the move was widely interpreted as a retreat by Trump after his meddling and attempts to insert himself into the Kennedy Center's image caused artists to cancel the performances there en masse. In addition to forcing his own name onto the center, which cannot be legally done without congressional approval, Trump also filled the center's board with loyalists and claimed that he would reshape its entertainment offerings to fit his own political agenda.
In its own analysis of the situation from Monday, The New Republic pinned the blame on the closure and the Kennedy Center's tarnished reputation squarely on the president.
"Long before Trump’s meddling, the Kennedy Center was widely considered a premier, world-class arts institution," the outlet explained. "But since the White House became directly involved in its operations and programming, its normally star-studded lineup has fallen apart."
The New Republic also cited responses to the move from the family of former President John F. Kennedy, whom the center was originally named for.
“I’ve determined that due to this change in schedule, it’s best for me to close this center down and rebuild a new center that will bear my name, which will surely get everybody to stop talking about the fact that everybody’s canceling… right?” Maria Shriver, Kennedy's niece, wrote in a post X.
Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy's grandson who is currently running for Congress in New York, also weighed in.
“Trump can take the Kennedy Center for himself. He can change the name, shut the doors, and demolish the building. He can try to kill JFK,” Schlossberg wrote in his own post to X. “But JFK is kept alive by us now rising up to remove Donald Trump, bring him to justice, and restore the freedoms generations fought for.”
The president announced in a Truth Social post Sunday evening that the center, which he had recently attempted to add his own name to, would be shutting down for a two-year period starting on July 4, "in honor of the 250th Anniversary of our Country," in order to conduct a two-year renovation he deemed necessary after a "year review."
“Financing is completed, and fully in place!” Trump's post read. “This important decision, based on input from many Highly Respected Experts, will take a tired, broken, and dilapidated Center, one that has been in bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years, and turn it into a World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment, far better than it has ever been before.”
Despite his stated reasoning for the closure, the move was widely interpreted as a retreat by Trump after his meddling and attempts to insert himself into the Kennedy Center's image caused artists to cancel the performances there en masse. In addition to forcing his own name onto the center, which cannot be legally done without congressional approval, Trump also filled the center's board with loyalists and claimed that he would reshape its entertainment offerings to fit his own political agenda.
In its own analysis of the situation from Monday, The New Republic pinned the blame on the closure and the Kennedy Center's tarnished reputation squarely on the president.
"Long before Trump’s meddling, the Kennedy Center was widely considered a premier, world-class arts institution," the outlet explained. "But since the White House became directly involved in its operations and programming, its normally star-studded lineup has fallen apart."
The New Republic also cited responses to the move from the family of former President John F. Kennedy, whom the center was originally named for.
“I’ve determined that due to this change in schedule, it’s best for me to close this center down and rebuild a new center that will bear my name, which will surely get everybody to stop talking about the fact that everybody’s canceling… right?” Maria Shriver, Kennedy's niece, wrote in a post X.
Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy's grandson who is currently running for Congress in New York, also weighed in.
“Trump can take the Kennedy Center for himself. He can change the name, shut the doors, and demolish the building. He can try to kill JFK,” Schlossberg wrote in his own post to X. “But JFK is kept alive by us now rising up to remove Donald Trump, bring him to justice, and restore the freedoms generations fought for.”
Mockery abounds after Trump's latest Kennedy Center proclamation: 'He’s East-Winging it'
Robert Davis
February 1, 2026
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while he poses for a picture at the presidential box at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 17, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Mockery abounded on Sunday night after President Donald Trump announced that the embattled Kennedy Center would close for two years as a wave of performers cancelled their dates.
Trump has been trying for several months to rebrand the Kennedy Center as the "Trump-Kennedy Center," even though the building was named by federal law. His efforts to add his name to the center, which was built in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy, sparked outrage among artists and performers.
In a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said his decision to close the Kennedy Center came after consulting with experts and is "totally subject to Board approval."
"I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year (sic) period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before," Trump proclaimed.
Political analysts and observers reacted on social media.
"So he’s announcing the demolition of the Kennedy Center, correct? He’s East-Winging it," lawyer Will Stancil posted on Bluesky.
"Just like his casinos and other businesses, the Kennedy Center went out of business after he put his name on it," Brett Meiselas, co-founder of MeidasTouch, posted on X.
"We had to destroy the Kennedy Center in order to save it," historian Kevin Kruse posted on Bluesky.
"Trump officially killed the Kennedy Center," lawyer Bradley Moss posted on Bluesky.
"He’s not mad about cancellations, just following advice from unnamed Highly Respected Experts," Mother Jones reporter Dan Friedman posted on X.
"Trump ruined the Kennedy Center so quickly and completely that he's going to close and 'renovate' it for most of the rest of his second term," journalist Mike Rothschild posted on X.
Trump announces two-year closure of embattled Kennedy Center
Robert Davis
February 1, 2026
RAW STORY
President Donald Trump poses on the red carpet for the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the embattled Kennedy Center will close for two-years as it undergoes renovations.
"After a one year review of The Trump Kennedy Center, that has taken place with Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants, deciding between either Construction with Closure and Re-Opening or, Partial Construction while continuing Entertainment Operations through a much longer period of time, working in and around the Performances, I have determined that The Trump Kennedy Center, if temporarily closed for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding, can be, without question, the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday.
The president made the announcement at a time when the Kennedy Center's bookings had dried up in protest of the Trump administration. Artists ranging from Béla Fleck to Issa Rae and The Cookers have all cancelled their Kennedy Center dates.
The Kennedy Center is scheduled to close on July 4, according to Trump's post.
Robert Davis
February 1, 2026
RAW STORY
President Donald Trump poses on the red carpet for the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the embattled Kennedy Center will close for two-years as it undergoes renovations.
"After a one year review of The Trump Kennedy Center, that has taken place with Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants, deciding between either Construction with Closure and Re-Opening or, Partial Construction while continuing Entertainment Operations through a much longer period of time, working in and around the Performances, I have determined that The Trump Kennedy Center, if temporarily closed for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding, can be, without question, the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday.
The president made the announcement at a time when the Kennedy Center's bookings had dried up in protest of the Trump administration. Artists ranging from Béla Fleck to Issa Rae and The Cookers have all cancelled their Kennedy Center dates.
The Kennedy Center is scheduled to close on July 4, according to Trump's post.
Opinion: President of bad taste — The Arc de Sleaze in Washington will probably be golden
By Paul Wallis
By Paul Wallis
EDITOR AT LARGE
DIGITAL JOURNAL
January 31, 2026
January 31, 2026
If Donald Trump is remembered for anything, it’ll be his obsession with landmarks commemorating himself. The useless White House ballroom, and the inexcusable demolition of the rose garden, the renaming of the Kennedy Center, and the golden tat adorning the White House apparently aren’t enough.
The arch will supposedly be 250 feet tall. Modelled roughly on the Arc de Triomphe, this thing will be timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary. It will be funded by “leftover donations” to the much-reviled ballroom.
You’ve probably heard of brutalist architecture. It’s useless and ornamental. It reflects the bad taste of its proponents.
This is brattish architecture. Many despots, notably Louis the 14th, the mass-murdering king who bankrupted France with his many wars, liked monumental architecture rather than competent architecture. The Palace of Versailles was built with no regard for sanitation, for example.
In the case of the US, however, there’s something grotesque about even the theory of a triumphal arch. What could possibly be less appropriate?
The United States is no longer anything like the beacon of hope it was from inception. The lack of originality and any specifically American characteristics of the proposed arch are absurd but typical of this administration.
What triumph is this useless arch commemorating? The worst living conditions since the Great Depression? An America at war with itself? An America that refuses to modernize or recognize the rights of its own citizens? Rampant criminality and corruption? The last mad bleat of an ex-superpower? The triumph of disgusting parasites pumping the life and identity out of America?
The best name for this new absurdity would be the Arc de Sleaze.
It’ll be a last-minute token of pseudo-patriotism, like the rest of Trump’s horrible facades. Stick a red cap made in China on it, and you’ve got your American icon.
Suggestion – Tear this insult down ASAP.
_________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
The arch will supposedly be 250 feet tall. Modelled roughly on the Arc de Triomphe, this thing will be timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary. It will be funded by “leftover donations” to the much-reviled ballroom.
You’ve probably heard of brutalist architecture. It’s useless and ornamental. It reflects the bad taste of its proponents.
This is brattish architecture. Many despots, notably Louis the 14th, the mass-murdering king who bankrupted France with his many wars, liked monumental architecture rather than competent architecture. The Palace of Versailles was built with no regard for sanitation, for example.
In the case of the US, however, there’s something grotesque about even the theory of a triumphal arch. What could possibly be less appropriate?
The United States is no longer anything like the beacon of hope it was from inception. The lack of originality and any specifically American characteristics of the proposed arch are absurd but typical of this administration.
What triumph is this useless arch commemorating? The worst living conditions since the Great Depression? An America at war with itself? An America that refuses to modernize or recognize the rights of its own citizens? Rampant criminality and corruption? The last mad bleat of an ex-superpower? The triumph of disgusting parasites pumping the life and identity out of America?
The best name for this new absurdity would be the Arc de Sleaze.
It’ll be a last-minute token of pseudo-patriotism, like the rest of Trump’s horrible facades. Stick a red cap made in China on it, and you’ve got your American icon.
Suggestion – Tear this insult down ASAP.
_________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
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