Trump’s Name Was Removed From Kennedy Center, Official Says

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has removed signage bearing the name of former President Donald Trump from its Washington, D.C. facade, complying with a federal court order. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the institution’s governing statute mandates the facility be named exclusively for President Kennedy, rendering the previous addition of Trump’s name legally unauthorized.

Why was the name removed?

The removal follows a legal challenge initiated by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who argued that the Kennedy Center’s board lacked the authority to rename the federally funded institution. In a late May ruling, Judge Cooper determined that the center’s "organic statute" explicitly dictates the building’s name. According to the court, the board’s unilateral decision to include Donald Trump’s name violated these federal requirements, as any formal renaming of the site would require explicit congressional approval.

How did the name change occur initially?

In December 2025, the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees—which included several high-profile Trump allies such as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, and media personality Laura Ingraham—voted unanimously to add the former president’s name to the facility. The board characterized the move as a recognition of Trump’s contributions, while internal discussions cited a desire to address what the board described as the institution’s "woke" programming. This administrative action prompted the lawsuit that eventually led to the court-ordered reversal.

What is the current status of the facility?

As of late June 2026, the facility remains under construction. Workers have utilized scaffolding and flame-retardant tarps to obscure the building’s facade, effectively hiding the removal process from public view. While the board of trustees attempted to appeal the court’s decision, those efforts were unsuccessful. The Kennedy Center confirmed in a court filing that all physical signage purporting to rename the center has been removed from the building and its surrounding grounds.

Key Facts Regarding the Kennedy Center Dispute

• Legal Basis: The John F. Kennedy Center Act, which established the institution as a memorial to the 35th president.
• Court Deadline: Judge Christopher Cooper set a firm two-week deadline for the removal of the signage following his May ruling.
• Board Composition: The board of trustees responsible for the name change was appointed early in 2025 and featured several prominent figures from the Trump administration.
• Scope of Removal: The order applied to all physical signage on the building and its grounds, including the front portico.

The resolution of this dispute marks a return to the center’s original legal designation. The institution continues to operate as a living memorial to President Kennedy, as dictated by the federal statute governing its operations.