In a surprising turn of events, some Republicans are taking steps to erase the name of John F. Kennedy from his own memorial. A bill put forward by Missouri Rep.
Bob Onder proposes renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the “Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts.” This legislation, dubbed the “Make Entertainment Great Again Act,” was introduced on July 23, 2025, just days after another committee suggested honoring First Lady Melania Trump by renaming the Kennedy Center’s Opera House after her.
In his remarks about the bill, Onder praised Trump, claiming he has been a significant figure in American culture for decades. He spotlighted Trump’s reality show, “The Apprentice,” his brief movie cameos, and his unique role as the only president to host “Saturday Night Live.” Onder emphasized that finding someone more influential in entertainment over the past 40 years than Trump would be a challenge. “He represents American exceptionalism in the arts,” Onder stated.
The Kennedy Center, a symbol of American art and culture, was originally conceived in the 1950s but became a livingiw tribute to JFK after his assassination in 1963. Recently, Trump has taken control of its management, appointing a more conservative board and calling for changes in programming, arguing that some shows were not suitable for the venue. “We don’t need woke at the Kennedy Center,” he claimed, adding that previous performances had been disappointing.
Although Trump hasn’t attended many shows at the center, he and Melania made a notable appearance during a performance of “Les Misérables” on June 11, 2025, where they received a mixed reception from the audience.
Alongside Onder’s bill, a congressional committee has voted to rename the Kennedy Center’s Opera House after Melania Trump. This proposal is part of a larger funding bill for various government agencies, but it still awaits a vote from the full House, which is currently on summer break.
These efforts have not sat well with the Kennedy family. Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, has pointed out a federal law that prevents any further renaming of parts of the center, asserting it simply isn’t allowed. Meanwhile, Maria Shriver, another member of the Kennedy family, took to social media to express her disbelief, calling the proposals “insane” and questioning the reasoning behind such moves.
As the conversation around these name changes heats up, the future of the Kennedy Center—and the legacy of its namesake—continues to hang in the balance.
