While Donald Trump citied necessary renovations as the reason why he has decided to close the Kennedy Center for two years beginning this July, the niece of former president John F. Kennedy has a different theory.
“Translation: It has been brought to my attention that due to the name change (but nobody’s telling me it’s due to the name change), but it’s been brought to my attention that entertainers are canceling left and right, and I have determined that since the name change no one wants to perform there any longer,” wrote Maria Shriver in a mocking social media post responding to Trump’s Sunday evening announcement.
She continued, “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, which will surely get everybody to stop talking about the fact that everybody’s canceling… right?”
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To be sure, upwards of 20 major artists pulled out of performances following Trump’s takeover, and ticket sales reportedly plummeted in recent months.
Translation: It has been brought to my attention that due to the name change (but nobody’s telling me it’s due to the name change), but it’s been brought to my attention that entertainers are canceling left and right, and I have determined that since the name change no one wants… https://t.co/BDsjQeOAC9
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) February 2, 2026