Kennedy Center Removes Trump's Name from Website Following Court Order, Physical Signage Remains
A federal judge ruled that the Kennedy Center was illegally renamed after President Trump without Congressional approval, and the center has begun removing his name from digital materials with a Friday deadline for full compliance. The ruling stems from Trump's February 2025 replacement of the center's board with administration allies who voted to rename the venue. The case highlights ongoing disputes over the center's governance and has prompted several artists to cancel performances in protest.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the Kennedy Center's renaming to "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" violated its founding statute, which grants only Congress the authority to change the institution's name. The Kennedy Center's general counsel issued a memo directing staff to remove Trump's name from email signatures, letterhead, websites, and other documents by Friday, June 12, 2026, though the physical signage on the building exterior remains in place pending further action. The dispute began in February 2025 when Trump replaced the center's board with administration members and allies who voted to rename the facility; the Justice Department conceded in court that the signage installation the day after the vote suggested premeditation. The Trump-appointed executive director has argued that removing the president's name would cause "irreparable harm" to fundraising efforts, while multiple musicians have cancelled performances in protest of Trump's involvement with the venue. Trump has called for the judge's impeachment and claimed the judge has a conflict of interest.
What different sources said
- The IndependentLeft
Kennedy Center removes Trump’s name from website after judge’s order - but it’s still on the building
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