Court Reviews Petition To Remove Donald Trump’s Name From Kennedy Center
US court hears case on Trump Kennedy Center name.
A US federal judge has ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was unlawfully renamed after President Donald Trump and ordered that his name be removed from the landmark building, escalating a legal and political dispute over control of one of America’s most prominent cultural institutions.
The ruling was issued on Friday by Judge Christopher Cooper, who found that the governing board of the Kennedy Center exceeded its authority when it voted to rename the institution the “Trump Kennedy Center” following a board reshuffle carried out during Trump’s second term in office. The judge stated that only the US Congress has the legal power to change the name of the federally established arts centre.
The Kennedy Center, located in Washington, D.C., was originally named in honour of former US President John F. Kennedy. It has long been regarded as a national hub for performing arts and cultural programming. However, in a controversial move last year, a board backed by Trump allies approved adding the president’s name to the building’s official title, which was later displayed in prominent gold lettering on its facade.
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Judge Cooper’s order requires that Trump’s name be removed from the building and all official materials within 14 days. The court also issued a temporary block on a separate plan supported by Trump that would have closed the centre for two years of renovations scheduled to begin in July, citing procedural and statutory concerns.
In response, President Donald Trump sharply criticised the ruling and announced he would distance himself from the institution, stating that he would no longer support efforts to manage or renovate what he described as a struggling cultural venue. His remarks were posted on his social media platform, where he also accused the centre of declining influence and relevance.
The dispute reflects broader tensions over Trump’s approach to national institutions during his second term. Since returning to office in January 2025, he has overseen a series of symbolic and administrative changes that have placed his name or image on federal properties, including renamed agencies and prominent public displays.
Among other initiatives, his administration has supported renaming the former US Institute of Peace, considered proposals to feature his image on future currency designs tied to America’s 250th independence anniversary, and undertaken major structural changes at parts of the White House complex, including the planned reconstruction of the East Wing for a large-scale ballroom project.
Legal experts say the Kennedy Center ruling reinforces constitutional limits on executive authority over federally chartered cultural institutions. For now, the court’s order sets a clear deadline for compliance, while leaving open the broader question of how the administration will respond to judicial restrictions on its branding of public spaces.
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