Former President John F. Kennedy’s niece, Kerry Kennedy has issued a direct warning to President Donald Trump amidst the ongoing dispute about the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
In a post on X, the lawyer and human rights activist shared details of a legal challenge seeking to block efforts to rename the landmark arts venue “Trump-Kennedy Center.” She concluded her message with a direct and straightforward appeal saying, “Stand down, President Trump. You are no king, and you don’t have the power. Only Congress can change that.”
According to Newsweek, the controversy centres on a December 2025 vote by the center’s board, which Trump appointed, to rename the institution. It immediately triggered protests from the members of the JFK’s Family, who also filed a lawsuit, and Democrats. They have argued that the center is a national memorial and cannot be renamed without Congressional approval.
The venue, which was opened in September 1971, was established by Congress to honour JFK after his unfortunate assassination. While addressing the issue, she pointed out the history and legacy. She said, “To honor President Jefferson, Congress erected the Jefferson Memorial. To honor President Lincoln, Congress erected the Lincoln Memorial. To honor President Kennedy, Congress erected the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.”
Kerry Kennedy aimed a message directly at Trump in the wake of a lawsuit aimed at preventing the renaming of the Kennedy Center. https://t.co/Bi3F7k5W7z
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) March 31, 2026
“No president, no board of directors, can change the names or send in a wrecking crew under the guise of ‘repairs,’” she further added.
The legal challenge backing her position was filed by Joyce Beatty in federal court. The lawsuit states that renaming the center violates federal law and breaches the board’s duties. It also claims that the renaming will contradict the original purpose laid down by Congress.
In response to her criticism, the White House has also defended the move. Spokesperson Liz Huston told Newsweek, saying, “The newly named Trump-Kennedy Center proudly recognizes President Trump’s incredible contributions including strengthening its finances, leading major building upgrades, removing divisive woke programming, and transforming it into a welcoming destination that everyone can enjoy under his leadership.”
The board of the Kennedy Center announced it had voted to rename the cultural institution in honor of President Trump.
But members of the organization are having a harder time replacing the website domain because a comedian bought it months ago.https://t.co/wzQuZrNNkQ
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 21, 2025
JFK’s niece has also been a vocal critic of Trump’s cultural policies. In an earlier post on X, she wrote, “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.”
Comparing Trump’s administration to her uncle’s, she said that President JFK 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,” she added.
Meanwhile, Trump has shared plans to close the center for renovations starting July 4 this year for about two years.
