Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Center after judge order
Workers have begun taking down the front‑line signage bearing former President Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center in Washington, a day after a federal judge set the deadline for removal.
The namesake had been added to the iconic performing‑arts venue without proper authorization, a federal judge ruled last month. The judge ordered that the signage be removed no later than Friday, 12 June, and that any temporary closure of the center for renovations be halted.
On Friday, crews erected scaffolding and by Saturday morning the team had hoisted large plastic sheeting over the letters, while onlookers gathered and chanted “take it down.” The removal was carried out in compliance with the court’s ruling.
The litigation stems from a broader dispute over whether the Kennedy Center—a federal memorial to former President John F. Kennedy—can be renamed without passage of new legislation by Congress. Judge Christopher Cooper also blocked the temporary closure that the Trump administration had sought for proposed renovations.
In February 2025, Trump had replaced several trustees on the board and appointed himself as a trustee before being voted in as chairman of the center. He announced the renaming as part of a series of rebranding initiatives in Washington, but the court held that changing the center’s name required congressional approval.
The Trump administration sought to pause the court order, arguing that a reversal could create confusion. The judge denied the petition, allowing the removal to proceed while further arguments await.
The decision reflects ongoing tensions over the use of federal cultural landmarks and the limits of executive authority in renaming them. The Kennedy Center’s name will remain unchanged until legislation is passed, marking a significant moment in the intersection of politics and public space.
