A confidential letter written by former First Lady Jackie Kennedy in October 1964 has come to light during a controversy at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The letter reveals concerns that seem to have materialized 61 years later under the leadership of President Donald Trump at the institution.
Jackie Kennedy wrote this letter to Roger Stevens, the first chairman of the Kennedy Center, expressing her concerns about the cultural center being named after her deceased husband, President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. In her letter, she expressed her fear that the center could become a place of political patronage and requested involvement in the selection of the director and trustees.
“He has a right to peace now,” Jackie Kennedy wrote in her letter, explaining her reluctance to add another memorial to her husband beyond his grave and presidential library.
She outlined strict conditions for her endorsement of the naming, including her threat to ask Congress to change the center’s name if her conditions were not met. She emphasized that trustees should prioritize the arts and not political favors, warning against appointments like George Brown, whom she claimed was being rewarded for past favors or in anticipation of campaign donations.
In February 2025, President Trump appointed himself the chairman of the Kennedy Center and appointed MAGA supporters to the historically bipartisan board. Ric Grenell was appointed president, while Sergio Gor assumed the position of secretary. Trump also added his name to the exterior of the Kennedy Center, even though official name changes require congressional approval.
These appointments and changes were met with immediate disapproval from the arts community. A number of artists canceled their performances at the Kennedy Center, causing ticket sales to plunge. The National Symphony Orchestra saw only half of its subscribers renew, and concert ticket sales fell to 30 percent.
The Washington National Opera terminated 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 pulled out of scheduled performances.
On February 4, 2026, Trump announced that the Kennedy Center would close for two years starting July 4th. He claimed that the center was tired, broken and run-down, arguing the closure was necessary for 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 stated.
Grenell supported the decision, stating that the renovations were direly needed. Congress allocated 257 million dollars for the project.
Trump’s actions at the institution were heavily criticized by members of the Kennedy family. Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy’s grandson, accused Trump of attempting to erase JFK. 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, known as the country’s cultural hub, hosts opera, ballet, orchestral performances, theater and other performing arts. The institution, a living memorial to President Kennedy, who championed the arts during his short presidency, was named after him and federally funded for its construction and operation.
Jackie Kennedy’s 1964 letter shows the careful consideration she gave to protect her husband’s legacy from political interference. She advocated for a list of trustees who would genuinely care for and work for the center. Her vision was for the institution to be led by true arts enthusiasts who would maintain its integrity independent of political bias.
Recent developments seem to have validated Jackie Kennedy’s forethought about political patronage. Her warning against appointing trustees as a payback for past favors or in anticipation of campaign contributions seems particularly pertinent given the current composition of the board.
The Kennedy Center has been grappling with more than just leadership changes. The institution is also facing significant financial hurdles as audiences dwindle and major performance groups cut ties with the venue. The drop in ticket sales and subscription renewals signals a dramatic shift for an institution that has long been viewed as one of the nation’s premier performing arts centers.
Trump’s decision to shut down the center for renovation comes amidst these mounting issues. The two-year closure will be a significant pause in the institution’s history. The extent and nature of the planned renovations are yet to be determined, though Trump has expressed an interest in modernizing the facility.
The discovery of Jackie Kennedy’s 1964 letter has provided historical context to ongoing debates about the Kennedy Center’s future. Her words from over six decades ago resonate with the concerns of artists, audiences, and Kennedy family members today.
