‘This Is Not Dignified’: Maria Shriver Lashes Out Against Renaming Of Kennedy Center

Maria Shriver took to social media Thursday to convey her disappointment over the Trump administration’s decision to rename The Kennedy Center.

Shortly after it was announced that the historic performing arts facility will be named the Trump Kennedy Center, Shriver shared her personal connection with the building and expressed her frustrations.

“The Kennedy Center was named after my uncle, President John F Kennedy. It was named in his honor,” she wrote.

“He was a man who was interested in the arts, interested in culture, interested in education, language, history,” she continued.

The Kennedy Center was named after my uncle, President John F Kennedy. It was named in his honor. He was a man who was interested in the arts, interested in culture, interested in education, language, history. He brought the arts into the White House, and he and my Aunt Jackie… pic.twitter.com/wcGjTp2uqa

— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) December 18, 2025

“He brought the arts into the White House, and he and my Aunt Jackie amplified the arts, celebrated the arts, stood up for the arts and artists,” she added.

The former first lady of California lashed out against President Donald Trump, saying, “It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy.”

“It is beyond wild that he would think adding his name in front of President Kennedy’s name is acceptable. It is not,” she said.

Shriver looked ahead, noting the potential for more change.

A crew can be seen working on the wall of The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts as the building is renamed in honor of US President Donald Trump on December 19, 2025, in Washington, DC. The US capital’s renowned John F. Kennedy arts center is to be renamed the “Trump-Kennedy Center” after President Donald Trump, the White House announced on December 18, 2025. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the center’s board — which Trump purged of Democrats earlier this year — voted for the change because of the Republican’s “unbelievable work” in overhauling the famed venue. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)

“Next thing perhaps he will want to rename JFK Airport, rename the Lincoln Memorial, the Trump Lincoln Memorial. The Trump Jefferson Memorial. The Trump Smithsonian. The list goes on.”

She addressed the public before taking another swipe at Trump.

TOPSHOT – US President Donald Trump stands in the presidential box as he tours the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2025. Trump was appointed chairman of the Kennedy Center on February 12, 2025, as a new board of trustees loyal to the US president brought his aggressive rightwing, anti-“woke” stamp to Washington’s premier arts venue. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

“Can we not see what is happening here? C’mon, my fellow Americans! Wake up! This is not dignified. This is not funny.” (RELATED: Trump Awards Medals To Kennedy Center Honorees)

“This is way beneath the stature of the job. It’s downright weird. It’s obsessive in a weird way. Just when you think someone can’t stoop any lower, down they go…” she said.