A member of the Kennedy family has pledged to take action with a savage vow after Donald Trump announced he was renaming the famous Kennedy Centre after himself.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, also known as Kennedy Center, pays homage to the former president in Washington, D.C.
Trump’s name is now included on the building, however – after the center’s board voted unanimously on December 18 to rename the building to the Trump-Kennedy Center.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on social media the decision was made because of ‘the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building’.
Leavitt added continued: “Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation. “Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future!
“The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur.”
Donald Trump’s name is now etched on the side of the building (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Many Kennedy family members have spoken out against the move, including the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, and niece of John F. Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy.
Funnily enough, Kerry is also the sister of Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kerry took to X and shared a photo of the new exterior of the building, which now reads: “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
The president of the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center said she would be grabbing a ‘pickaxe’ and pulling Trump’s name off as soon as his term in office is over.
She wrote: “Three years and one month from today, I’m going to grab a pickaxe and pull those letters off that building, but I’m going to need help holding the ladder. Are you in? Applying for my carpenter’s card today, so it’ll be a union job!!”
Three years and one month from today, I’m going to grab a pickax and pull those letters off that building, but I’m going to need help holding the ladder. Are you in? Applying for my carpenter’s card today, so it’ll be a union job!!! pic.twitter.com/ZLPhd7fU31
— Kerry Kennedy (@KerryKennedyRFK) December 19, 2025
In a previous post, Kerry argued that Trump and his administration have been ‘repressing’ artistic expression, one of the key missions of the center.
“President Trump and his administration have spent the past year repressing free expression, targeting artists, journalists, and comedians, and erasing the history of Americans whose contributions made our nation better and more just,” she wrote on social media.
“President Kennedy proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer. “President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy’s.”
Featured Image Credit: Bettmann via Getty Images
