Trump Criticizes Kennedy Family Following Center Closure Announcement

Donald Trump recently targeted the Kennedy family shortly after disclosing that he will be closing the renowned Kennedy Centre.

On Thursday, Trump, accompanied by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., introduced TrumpRx, a new website intended to provide discounted prescription medications. Present at the event were Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz and Chief Design Officer of the National Design Studio Joe Gebbia.

During his speech, where he did not entertain questions from reporters, Trump commended RFK Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, for his involvement in the initiative. However, he also included some jabs at the Kennedy family as a whole.

Trump remarked, “Bobby is back here. He’s so instrumental, doing a fantastic job. Who would’ve thought a Kennedy—[in] the Republican Party. But there’s been no better advocate for what we’re doing than Bobby Kennedy Jr.” This praise came right after Trump announced on his Truth Social account that he plans to close the arts venue for a two-year refurbishment to focus on “Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding.”

Trump asserted that the “tired, broken, and dilapidated” Center would shut down by July 4 to become a “new and beautiful Landmark,” promising a reopening that would “rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before.” In contrast, the Kennedy family quickly condemned this decision, particularly after numerous artists canceled their performances there following a MAGA takeover.

Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, accused Trump of trying to dominate the coveted arts venue, emphasizing that Trump had even added his name to the building. He expressed on his X account, “Trump can take the Kennedy Center for himself… But JFK is kept alive by us now rising up to remove Donald Trump.” The sentiment was echoed by Joe Kennedy III, who characterized the move as a “trespass on the People’s will,” reminding that the Center was meant to honor the legacy of JFK and serve the public.

Maria Shriver addressed Trump’s Truth Social remarks in her own X post, suggesting the name change led to entertainer cancellations. She humorously noted, “I’ve determined that due to this change in schedule, it’s best for me to close this center down and rebuild a new center that will bear my name.” As the debate continued, family tensions were evident, with RFK Jr.’s controversial views on vaccines leading to a split within the Kennedy family.