RFK Jr. Addresses President Trump Renaming His Uncle’s Kennedy Center: ‘I Have Bigger Fish to Fry’

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seemingly isn’t too bothered by President Donald Trump‘s decision to add his name to the Kennedy Center building.

On Thursday, January 8, CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes asked the Health and Human Services Secretary, 71, if he could “understand” why his family members are “upset” over the name change, to which he responded, “Of course, I understand it, but I have bigger fish to fry.”

“If we lose any children in this country to obesity, heart disease — 77 percent of our kids can’t qualify for the military,” he remarked. “Saving one life is more important to me than the name on a building.”

Refocusing the question, Cordes, 51 asked RFK Jr., “Did you get involved in that decision at all? Did you recommend that they not change the name?” to which he replied, “No” to both questions.

“Like I said, I have other focuses, other priorities, and that’s making America healthy,” he added.

As the National Enquirer reported last month, a Trump-appointed board voted to rename the historic arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center. The building was, of course, named initially after RFK Jr.’s uncle, President John F. Kennedy.

While the legality of the renaming remains unclear, the Kennedy family has spoken out against the decision.

JFK’s niece, Maria Shriver, took to Instagram last month to condemn the change.

“It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy,” Shriver, 70, wrote in part. “It is beyond wild that he would think adding his name in front of President Kennedy’s name is acceptable. It is not.”

Meanwhile another one of JFK’s nieces, Kerry Kennedy, took to X writing, “President Kennedy proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer. President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy’s.”