Featured Image Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, News
After House Republicans announced plans to rename the iconic Kennedy Center Opera House in honour of First Lady Melania Trump, JFK's family have clapped back.
The historical and cultural Washington D.C. landmark was constructed in memory of the late president back in 1971 - seven years after his tragic assassination, aged just 46.
The venue has hosted a plethora of performing arts genres in the 54 years since, including theatre shows and concerts. It also serves as the official residence of the National Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Washington National Opera.
Earlier this year, following his second inauguration into the White House, Donald Trump was elected the landmark's chairman - a move which sparked mass backlash after he fired a horde of previous board members.
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And on Tuesday (22 July), the Republican leader's administration proposed re-naming the centre after his wife, Melania.
The argument was made on the basis of the 'support and commitment in promoting the arts and humanities' that the 55-year-old First Lady has supposedly shown over the years.
In response, the House Appropriations Committee reportedly considered an amendment to an existing bill that would call for the theatre to be renamed. If it goes ahead, the centre would be named 'First Lady Melania Trump Opera House'.
However, the late John F. Kennedy's family have since responded to the news, with his grandson Jack Schlossberg writing a scathing statement online.
"'A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces - but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers'," the 32-year-old politics writer penned in the caption of an image of Melania and Trump on Instagram.
"JFK believed the arts made our country great and could be our most effective weapon in the fight for civil rights and against authoritarian governments around the world.
"He took political heat for it at the time - for inviting black artists to the White House, like the Staples Singers. For supporting black Americans like Harry Belafonte and James Baldwin on global tours to showcase the best of our society."
Schlossberg went on to point out: "Pablo Cassals, a symbol of resistance to fascism, played for President Kennedy. Yo-yo Ma did too… when he was just 6 years old. Robert Frost performed at JFK’s inaugural. The Mona Lisa came and visited the WH.
"The Trump Administration stands for freedom of oppression, not expression. He uses his awesome powers to suppress free expression and instill fear. But this isn’t about the arts."
The writer continued of the president: "Trump is obsessed with being bigger than JFK, with minimizing the many heroes of our past, as if that elevates him. It doesn’t.
"But there’s hope - art lasts forever, and no one can change what JFK and our shared history stands for."
Schlossberg wasn't the only critic of the Trump administration's latest cultural proposal, with a number of Democrat-voting critics hitting out on social media.
"If it’s taxpayer funded, name it after the city or something that reflects the city’s culture. Tired of naming tax payer funded venues after corporations or people. Even for people I like," one wrote.
Another added: "House republicans need to get back to work on actual issues and legislation."
However, others appeared to support the idea, saying that Melania ‘deserves it’.
One fan commented: "This is awesome! She deserves it!"
Meanwhile, someone else praised: "She has done so much for this country and is so brilliant, she deserves this!"
Tyla has contacted the White House for comment.