A private letter from Jackie Kennedy, dated October 1964, has made a reappearance, stirring up controversy at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The letter reveals concerns that have become reality under the stewardship of President Donald Trump, some 60 years later.
The letter was written by the former first lady to Roger Stevens, the inaugural chairman of the Kennedy Center. In it, Jackie Kennedy expressed her fears about naming the national cultural center after her deceased husband, President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated a year earlier. She was particularly anxious that the center might become a tool of political patronage and insisted on participating in the selection of the director and trustees.
In the letter, Jackie Kennedy conveyed her reservations about establishing another memorial in her husband’s name beyond his grave and presidential library. “He has a right to peace now,” she wrote.
She outlined firm conditions for her support of the naming and threatened to appeal to Congress to change the center’s name if her conditions were not met. She emphasized that trustees should be committed to the arts and not political favors. She specifically cautioned against the appointment of individuals like George Brown, whom she perceived as being rewarded for past favors or named in anticipation of campaign contributions.
In February 2025, Trump appointed himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center and filled the historically bipartisan board with MAGA loyalists. Ric Grenell was appointed president, and Sergio Gor was named secretary. Trump also added his name to the Kennedy Center exterior, although an official name change requires congressional approval.
These changes drew immediate criticism from the arts community. Several artists canceled their Kennedy Center performances, leading to a significant drop in ticket sales. Only half of the National Symphony Orchestra subscribers renewed their memberships, and concert ticket purchases dwindled to 30 percent.
The Washington National Opera ceased its residency at the Kennedy Center. The Martha Graham Dance Company canceled its April show. Noted composer Philip Glass withdrew his world premiere, and Grammy-winning soprano Renée Fleming backed out of scheduled performances.
On February 4, 2026, Trump stated that the Kennedy Center would close for two years starting July 4th for necessary renovations. He described the center as tired, broken, and dilapidated, insisting that the closure would facilitate quality construction.
“If we don’t close, the quality of Construction will not be nearly as good, and the time to completion, because of interruption from Audiences from the many Events using the Facility, will be much longer,” Trump declared.
Grenell defended the decision, stating that the renovation was critically needed. Congress allocated 257 million dollars for the project.
Members of the Kennedy family have strongly criticized Trump’s actions at the institution. Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy’s grandson, accused Trump of attempting to destroy JFK’s legacy. Kennedy’s niece, Maria Shriver, ridiculed Trump’s closure announcement on social media. Joe Kennedy III also denounced the changes as a violation of the people’s will.
The Kennedy Center has been the nation’s cultural hub, providing a venue for opera, ballet, orchestral performances, theater, and other performing arts. It was established as a living memorial to President Kennedy, a strong supporter of the arts during his short presidency. The center received its name and federal funding in Kennedy’s honor.
Jackie Kennedy’s 1964 letter underscores her careful consideration of protecting her husband’s legacy from political exploitation. She envisioned an institution led by true art enthusiasts who would preserve its integrity apart from partisan politics. Her concerns about political patronage seem to have found validation in current events, especially given the present composition of the board.
Beyond leadership changes, the Kennedy Center is grappling with significant financial issues as audiences dwindle and major performing groups cut ties with the center. Ticket sales and subscription renewals have sharply declined, marking a major shift for an institution long regarded as one of America’s premier performing arts centers.
Amid these challenges, Trump’s decision to close the center for renovation is significant. The two-year closure will be a notable pause in the institution’s history. The extent and nature of the planned renovations are yet to be disclosed, although Trump has indicated a desire to modernize the facility.
The reemergence of Jackie Kennedy’s 1964 letter adds historical depth to the ongoing debates about the direction of the Kennedy Center. Her words from over six decades ago resonate with the concerns currently expressed by artists, audiences, and Kennedy family members.
