A federal judge has ordered the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled Friday that the Kennedy Center board lacked authority to add the President’s name, as only Congress can change the name established by statute in 1964, reported Bloomberg Law.
The order requires the center to remove signage referring to “The Donald J. Trump And John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” from the building facade, website, letterhead, and all official materials within 14 days. Judge Cooper also blocked the board’s plan to close the center for a two-year renovation.
Background of the Dispute
Congress designated the center in 1964 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
In December 2025, the Trump-appointed Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted to add Trump’s name to the facility, and new signage was installed shortly afterward, NBC Washington reported.
Trump had earlier appointed himself as Chair of the Board and installed numerous allies as trustees in February 2025, per a Kennedy Center announcement.
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio member of the board, filed a lawsuit in December 2025 challenging the renaming. She argued that only Congress has the authority to change the name, per Washington Litigation Group.
In March 2026, Beatty filed a motion for partial summary judgment seeking to reverse the renaming. A Kennedy Center official warned in a recent court filing that removing the name could cause significant financial harm by severing fundraising connections, per The Independent.
Judge Cooper previously allowed Beatty greater participation in board meetings but had not ruled on the name change until Friday’s decision, noted The New York Times.
Future Impact and Costs
The center’s executive director, Charles Matthew Floca, stated in a court filing that removing Trump’s name would impair development efforts and make some operations financially nonviable. The extent of any required physical changes to the building and associated costs remains unclear as of Friday.
The decision may be appealed. The Kennedy Center continues to operate as the nation’s premier performing arts venue, hosting millions of visitors annually.
