A federal judge on Friday ordered President Donald Trump's name removed from the Kennedy Center, ruling that the Washington performing arts landmark cannot be renamed without approval from Congress.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said the Kennedy Center board exceeded its authority when it added Trump's name to the institution and official materials. The judge ordered officials to remove Trump's name from the building within two weeks and barred the center from moving forward with a planned temporary closure for renovations.
The ruling is a sharp legal setback for Trump's effort to reshape one of the nation's most visible cultural institutions. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was established by Congress as a national memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and Cooper found that its name cannot be changed by the board or the president alone.
The dispute followed a December vote by the Kennedy Center board to rename the institution the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The center's website and signage were later changed to reflect the new branding, including references to the "Trump Kennedy Center."
But Cooper ruled that Congress, not the Kennedy Center board, holds the authority to rename the institution. His order requires the center to remove Trump's name from physical signage and official materials. The case was brought by Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, who serves as an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board.
Beatty challenged the name change and the planned closure, arguing that the board acted unlawfully and sidelined members who objected to the decision. In his ruling, Cooper also blocked the Kennedy Center's plan to close for a major renovation project. The judge found that the board had not properly fulfilled its responsibilities before approving the closure.
The proposed shutdown had threatened to disrupt performances, staff operations, and one of the most prominent cultural calendars in Washington. The Kennedy Center has argued that the building needs significant repairs and that renovation work is urgent. Officials have also defended the board's decision to honor Trump, citing his role in securing federal funding and his influence over the institution's leadership.
Kennedy Center spokeswoman Roma Daravi said the institution was confident an appeal would uphold the board's decision and reiterated that the center needs restoration. The ruling lands in the middle of a broader fight over Trump's influence at the Kennedy Center. Since returning to the office, Trump has moved aggressively to install allies and redefine the center's leadership and priorities.
The changes triggered backlash from artists, Democratic lawmakers, preservation groups, and some members of the Kennedy family. The court did not permanently resolve every dispute surrounding the Kennedy Center's future. The ruling came in response to requests for preliminary relief, meaning litigation may continue.
