JFK’s Grandson Slams GOP Proposal to Rename Kennedy Center After Melania Trump. A heated political and cultural clash is unfolding in Washington D.C., after a bold Republican proposal ignited outrage from the Kennedy family.
The plan? To rename the iconic Kennedy Center Opera House in honor of former First Lady Melania Trump — a suggestion that has drawn fierce criticism, especially from President John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg.
The Kennedy Center, a national cultural landmark established in 1971 to honor JFK’s legacy, has long symbolized America’s commitment to the arts. It has hosted countless operas, symphonies, and performances, serving as home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. But a proposal made by House Republicans has threatened to rewrite its legacy.
On July 22, a recommendation was made to rename the venue the “First Lady Melania Trump Opera House,” citing her supposed contributions to promoting arts and culture. The move follows Donald Trump’s controversial appointment as chairman of the Kennedy Center board earlier this year, during which he dismissed several board members, triggering widespread backlash.
But it was the renaming proposal that truly struck a nerve — especially with JFK’s family.
Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s only grandson and a rising political writer, voiced his frustration in a passionate Instagram post. Sharing a photo of Donald and Melania Trump, he quoted his grandfather: “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces — but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”
Schlossberg then reminded followers of JFK’s deep dedication to the arts and social justice, stating, “President Kennedy believed the arts could unite our country and be a powerful tool in the fight for civil rights and against authoritarianism.”
He pointed to JFK’s bold actions during his presidency — hosting Black artists like the Staple Singers at the White House, supporting voices like Harry Belafonte and James Baldwin, and inviting famed cellist Pablo Casals, a staunch anti-fascist, to perform. “Even a six-year-old Yo-Yo Ma played for him,” Schlossberg noted, emphasizing the depth of JFK’s genuine passion for the arts.
Then, turning his sights to the Trump administration, Schlossberg didn’t hold back. “This isn’t about honoring the arts — it’s about erasing history. Trump isn’t trying to celebrate culture. He’s trying to outshine JFK and rewrite the legacy of those who came before him.”
“But art,” he added with hope, “outlives politics. No one can undo what JFK stood for, or what that center truly represents.”
While many Democrats and Kennedy admirers rallied behind Schlossberg’s sentiments, backlash against the proposal was widespread. “If it’s publicly funded, name it after the city or something that represents the community — not politicians or their spouses,” one critic argued online. Another bluntly added, “Republicans should focus on governing, not vanity projects.”
Still, some supporters defended the move, praising Melania’s elegance and calling the idea “brilliant.”
As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear — the Kennedy Center is more than just a venue. It’s a monument to a president’s vision for a better, more artistic America — a vision his family isn’t letting go of without a fight.