US Federal Court Orders Trump’s Name Removed from Kennedy Center Within 14 Days

Washington, May 31, 2026 — A federal judge has dealt a significant legal blow to President Donald Trump, ordering his administration to remove Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts within 14 days.
Federal Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the law is unambiguous: the iconic arts venue must retain the name of President John F. Kennedy, and only the US Congress — not the executive branch — has the authority to change it.
The court ordered the Trump administration to remove all physical signage bearing Trump’s name and eliminate all references to “Trump Kennedy Center” from official government documents.
Background:
On December 18, 2025, the Kennedy Center’s board — reshaped after Trump dismissed its existing trustees early in his second term — voted to rename the institution the “Trump Kennedy Center.” Trump’s name was affixed to the building’s facade the very next day. The lawsuit was filed by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty. The White House has not yet issued an official response.
About the Kennedy Center:
Established by Congress as America’s national cultural center in memory of President John F. Kennedy, who believed the arts were essential to democracy, the center hosts over 2,000 performances annually — including theatre, dance, opera, and music. It is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. Since 1978, it has hosted the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors — often called “the Oscars of the Arts” — recognizing lifetime achievement in the performing arts.