First the Rose Garden, Now the Kennedy Center: A Campaign to Rewrite History
Concrete over the Rose Garden was just the beginning. Now, a bold—and deeply divisive—plan is underway to strip John F. Kennedy’s name from the cultural landmark built to honor him. Behind closed doors and under the guise of legislative finesse, a push is gaining momentum to replace JFK’s legacy with that of Donald Trump. But what’s really fueling this audacious move?
Maria Shriver, JFK’s niece, has emerged as a fierce voice against the Republican-backed effort to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after Donald and Melania Trump. Taking to social media, Shriver condemned the proposal as petty and absurd, calling it a blatant attempt to dismantle her family’s heritage.
“This is beyond ridiculous,” Shriver wrote on X, “It’s petty, small-minded—and it makes my blood boil. First, the Rose Garden. Now, the Kennedy Center. What’s next?”
The Kennedy Center, established in 1971 as a tribute to the late president’s vision, is a cornerstone of American arts and culture. It’s home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, embodying decades of artistic excellence and civic pride.
The controversy centers on Missouri Representative Bob Onder’s Make Entertainment Great Again Act, which seeks to rename the Kennedy Center and its Opera House after the Trumps. Onder argues that Donald Trump embodies a fresh “American greatness” in the arts—a claim that has drawn widespread criticism.
This effort echoes previous Trump-era changes, notably the 2020 overhaul of the White House Rose Garden, where lush greenery gave way to a concrete platform—a move defended as practical but seen by many as symbolic erasure.
Within the Kennedy family, opposition is resolute. JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, reminded the public of federal laws protecting the Center’s status as a memorial, suggesting renaming it would break the law.
Maria Shriver has vowed to keep fighting, insisting that JFK’s legacy of leadership, culture, and democracy must not be politicized or erased. For her, this battle transcends a mere name change—it’s about protecting values and history.
Conclusion
In a time when America’s political divisions touch every corner, even its treasured cultural institutions are caught in the crossfire. The Kennedy Center, a symbol of public service and artistic achievement, now faces a challenge that strikes at the heart of how history is remembered.
GOP supporters push for a new chapter honoring Trump, while defenders like Shriver see a deliberate attempt to rewrite the past. No matter the outcome, the Kennedy legacy remains fiercely defended—an enduring emblem of ideals that many are unwilling to surrender.