Trump jokes RFK Jr is ‘standing right behind me’ as he defends Kennedy Center recognition demand

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, September 18, joked that the late former president John F Kennedy’s nephew and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr, is “standing right behind me” while he firmly defended his demand that his administration be recognized if it helps rebuild and operate the Kennedy Center.

Trump said he also “cherishes” the Kennedy name and described the existing “Kennedy and Trump” combination as a symbol of bipartisanship with both a Republican and Democrat president’s name on it. Trump also argued that he should not be expected to fix the center and raise money to keep it operating without recognition. 

Trump jokes about RFK Jr while defending Kennedy Center recognition demand

Speaking about the Kennedy Center, Trump acknowledged the presence of RFK Jr, who was standing behind him, before explaining his position on the institution’s name and future.“I should be very careful because Bobby's standing right behind me, and I cherish that too. I actually like the name of Kennedy and Trump,” he said.

Trump then focused on the center’s finances, arguing that it had lost tens of millions of dollars annually for years and would require continued subsidies to remain operational. He compared it with other major arts institutions that also require financial support.

Trump said he was prepared to take on the renovations and argued that his administration should receive recognition if it did so. He questioned why he should undertake the work and then continue raising money to subsidize the institution without having his administration recognized. “I'm ready to fix it, make it good,” Trump said, later adding, “I can turn it around, fix it.”

“I think if I do that, because we should be recognized with the Trump administration,” Trump said. “If I'm willing and the administration is willing, we have a lot of people working very hard on it to save it easily.”

Trump ultimately framed recognition as a condition for taking on the long-term financial burden of the institution. “But why should we be doing that and then raise money for the rest of our lives to keep it afloat? Because that's what you have to do if we get no recognition,” he said. 

Thousands protest Trump’s Kennedy Center plans in Washington

Hours after Trump’s remarks, thousands of protesters gathered outside the Kennedy Center in Washington for the “hands off arts” demonstration. The crowd filled streets in the Foggy Bottom area, with demonstrators carrying signs, chanting and protesting Trump’s plans for the institution. 

The protest came after a turbulent week surrounding the Kennedy Center and its future. Trump has sought to reshape the institution since 2025, including installing allies on its governing board. His name was later added to the center, but a judge ruled that the addition was unlawful and ordered it removed.

The Kennedy Center board subsequently voted to close the institution indefinitely for repairs after the same judge again blocked plans to restore Trump’s name to the building. Protesters responded with signs including “save our Kennedy Center,” “hands off the arts” and “our center not DJT’s.”