Maria Shriver Believes It’s Odd for Trump’s Name to Come Before JFK’s on His Memorial: Time to Reflect

From left: Maria Shriver, Donald Trump, and John F. Kennedy.
Credit: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty; Andrew Harnik/Getty; TPLP/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Maria Shriver expressed strong opposition to Donald Trump’s plan to rename the Kennedy Center.
• Shriver stated on Instagram, “It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy.”
• Other Kennedy relatives, including Jack Schlossberg and Joe Kennedy III, have also objected to the name change.

Maria Shriver has voiced her disapproval alongside other members of the Kennedy family regarding the recent announcement of a name change for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This follows a statement by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said the institution will now be referred to as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”

Leavitt asserted that the renaming was decided upon during a “unanimous” vote by the Kennedy Center board, a claim that has sparked backlash from notable family members, including Joe Kennedy III and Jack Schlossberg.

In a passionate Instagram post, Shriver emphasized the significance of the original naming, which honored her late uncle, President John F. Kennedy. She maintained that the center was dedicated to his legacy as a champion of the arts, culture, and education.

“It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy,” Shriver stated. She challenged the rationale behind placing Trump’s name before Kennedy’s, calling it “beyond wild.”

Shriver further remarked, “Next thing perhaps he will want to rename JFK Airport, rename the Lincoln Memorial, the Trump Lincoln Memorial. The Trump Jefferson Memorial. The Trump Smithsonian. The list goes on. Can we not see what is happening here?”

Calling for awareness among Americans, Shriver added, “This is not dignified. This is not funny. This is way beneath the stature of the job. It’s downright weird.” Her post featured photos of a JFK bust outside the Kennedy Center, her uncle during his presidency, and the venue itself, which was dedicated in 1964 as a “living memorial” for JFK.

Both Joe Kennedy III and Schlossberg have also raised legal concerns, arguing that the name change violates federal law, as the Kennedy Center was established as a memorial. Joe Kennedy remarked on social media, “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.”

Maria Shriver (L) and President Donald Trump with first lady Melania Trump (R) at the Kennedy Center on June 11, 2025.
Credit: Bryan Steffy/Getty; Shannon Finney/Getty

Formerly, Schlossberg had expressed discontent with proposed legislation aimed at renaming the Kennedy Center to the “Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts.” The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Bob Onder, was never enacted into law. In response to recent developments, Schlossberg reiterated the legal restrictions governing the center, highlighting that the statute prohibits further memorials or plaques in its public areas, stating, “Plain reading of the statute makes clear — YOU CAN’T DO THAT.”

Shriver’s initial objections to the name change emerged back in July when she denounced prior efforts to rename the Kennedy Center. “This is insane. It makes my blood boil. It’s so ridiculous, so petty, so small-minded,” she articulated, questioning the motivations behind such moves. Trump has previously expressed intentions to revamp the Kennedy Center to align with his vision during his second term, positioning himself as chairman and pledging to eliminate members perceived as promoting “woke” ideologies.

It is essential to note that Kennedy’s commitment to the arts significantly shaped the cultural landscape. Plans for a national cultural center in Washington, D.C. were initiated prior to his assassination in 1963, with the establishment subsequently transformed into a memorial dedicated to him posthumously.