Trump name removal underway at Kennedy Center amid legal battle
Judge rules only Congress can change Kennedy Center name, blocks renovation plan
The Kennedy Center said in a court filing that “removal work is presently ongoing” and is expected to “conclude in the early hours of the morning,” as it moved to comply with a court-ordered deadline to strip references to Donald Trump from the venue.
Outside the building, the dispute drew public attention, with dozens of people gathering on the plaza in front of the Kennedy Center. Some took photographs while others intermittently chanted “take it down.” Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio and an ex-officio board member who has supported efforts to remove Trump’s name, was also seen at the scene.
The legal and political dispute comes after a period of heightened influence by Trump over the institution following his return to office. After largely distancing himself from the Kennedy Center during his first term, Trump reshaped its leadership early in his second term, removing the existing board and installing trustees who later named him chairman. His name was subsequently added to the building’s facade.
In a ruling issued earlier, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said only Congress has the authority to alter the Kennedy Center’s official name. The decision also blocked plans by the administration to close the venue for a major renovation project scheduled to begin in July and last two years.
In its appeal, Kennedy Center leadership argued that the planned renovation was urgently needed and accused the lower court of obstructing necessary repairs. The filing stated that the building faces “potentially life threatening structural damage,” including deteriorating beams and parking garage ceilings “in serious danger of falling onto people below,” adding: “Indeed, total collapse!”
Despite its legal challenge, the Kennedy Center has begun implementing parts of the ruling. A June 4 internal memo from its Office of General Counsel instructed staff that email signatures, letterheads, and official documents must use either “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.”
The institution has also removed Trump’s name from its website, and recent member communications, including ticket offers for the upcoming Mark Twain Prize ceremony, have omitted any reference to him.
