A U.S. judge on Friday ordered the removal of former President Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., ruling that such a renaming requires congressional approval and blocking a proposed temporary closure for renovations. The order mandates that Trump’s name be removed from the institution’s title, façade, and all physical and digital signage within 14 days.
Legal Challenge Over Renaming and Closure
The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and former trustees who challenged the legality of the renaming and a subsequent plan to close the venue. Trump had announced the addition of his name to the center’s title in late 2023, alongside other rebranding efforts. This move followed his appointment of new trustees and his own election as chairman of the arts center’s board in February 2025.
The board officially decided to rename the institution in December, with new lettering bearing Trump’s full name quickly affixed to the building’s front portico. The full proposed title was The Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. This decision, along with a subsequent announcement of a two-year closure for renovations starting July 4, 2026, in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, faced significant opposition.
Court’s Reasoning and Plaintiff’s Response
District Judge Christopher Cooper, an Obama-era appointee, stated in a 94-page opinion that the Kennedy Center’s founding statute clearly designates it to be named for President Kennedy. Cooper emphasized that the center’s name cannot be altered by the board’s unilateral decision, asserting, “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.” The judge also blocked the planned closure, deeming it unauthorized.
Congresswoman Beatty hailed the ruling, stating, “Today’s ruling rightly affirms that this administration’s efforts to rename and close the Center have no basis in law.” She added, “The Kennedy Center is an institution that belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump. He has desecrated this sacred memorial for his own vanity.”
Kennedy Center’s Reaction and Future Plans
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center, Roma Daravi, indicated the center’s intention to appeal the name-change order. “We are confident that on appeal the court will uphold the Board’s will to recognize President Trump’s historic contributions to our nation’s cultural center,” Daravi said in a statement. The center also stated it would review the judge’s decision regarding the renovation closure.
Daravi acknowledged the need for significant restoration, noting that “the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration – a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges.” She further highlighted that “With $257 million secured by President Trump and approved by Congress, the resources are in place and we remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure the Trump Kennedy Center is restored as a national cultural landmark for all Americans to enjoy.”
Implications and What to Watch Next
The judge’s decision underscores the principle that significant changes to federally chartered institutions, particularly those bearing memorial names, require legislative action. The ongoing legal battle and the Kennedy Center’s stated intent to appeal suggest that the final status of the center’s name and renovation plans remain uncertain. The court’s clear directive that only Congress can alter the center’s name sets a precedent for future institutional governance and naming conventions. Attention will now turn to the appeals process and potential legislative action should the center continue to pursue the renaming or the renovation closure.
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