A federal court in the United States has ordered the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the historic Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The court also suspended a planned temporary closure of the center for renovation work.
In a ruling issued on May 29, Judge Christopher Cooper stated that changing the name of the Kennedy Center without congressional approval was not lawful. As a result, the center has been instructed to remove Trump’s name from its official title, building exterior, digital signage, government documents, and promotional materials within 14 days, according to the BBC.
Previously, under an initiative backed by Trump, the institution had been renamed the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” Following the court’s ruling, the organization will revert to its original name, the “John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
Responding to the decision on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he would work with Congress to transfer control of the institution back to lawmakers. He argued that if he were not given the freedom to revitalize the center, he would have little interest in remaining involved.
Meanwhile, Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi announced that the institution plans to appeal the ruling. She noted that Congress had approved $257 million for renovation and improvement projects under Trump’s leadership and said the center would pursue all available legal options.
The controversy began in February 2025 when Trump removed several members of the center’s board of trustees, appointed himself as a trustee, and was later elected chairman. In December of the same year, the board voted to change the institution’s name.
The decision sparked criticism from many figures in the arts and cultural community. Several performers canceled scheduled appearances, and ticket sales reportedly declined.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, welcomed the ruling, saying that the Kennedy Center belongs to the American people and is not the property of any individual. She described the decision as a victory for the rule of law.
In his ruling, Judge Cooper emphasized that the Kennedy Center’s name was established by Congress and that only Congress has the authority to change it. Therefore, the board of trustees could not unilaterally rename the institution.
