The family of the late President John F. Kennedy has issued a sharp rebuke of former President Donald Trump following recent developments at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The conflict stems from a decision by the center’s board—which includes members appointed by Trump—to close the main building for planned renovations.

Reports indicate that the Kennedy family views Trump’s involvement in the center’s management and his desire to place his own name on the facility as an act of narcissism. The family’s statement specifically condemned the move to close the building, questioning the motivations behind the board’s recent vote. While the board maintains that the closure is necessary for structural upgrades, the Kennedy family has framed the situation as a political power play intended to diminish the legacy of the former president.

There is currently a discrepancy regarding the timeline and necessity of the renovations. While the board-approved plan cites safety and modernization as the primary drivers for the closure, the Kennedy family suggests the timing is suspicious and linked to Trump’s personal agenda. Trump has publicly countered these claims, asserting that the renovations will not proceed under his watch, though the specifics of his influence over the board’s future decisions remain a point of contention. The situation highlights a broader tension between the Trump administration’s influence on federal cultural institutions and the families of the figures those institutions honor.