The Kennedy Center has completed the removal of Donald Trump’s name from the building, fulfilling a court order issued in late May. The change took place after crews worked through inclement weather, completing the task in the early morning hours. This development stems from a ruling delivered by Judge Christopher Cooper, who determined that the board chaired by Trump did not possess the authority to rename the institution. Cooper’s 94-page opinion emphasized that the power to rename the federally chartered center rests solely with Congress, a viewpoint articulated as the order was issued on what would have been John F. Kennedy’s 109th birthday.
Compliance with the order required the Kennedy Center to not only remove Trump’s name but also to revert all associated branding, withdraw trademark applications, and submit sworn proof. The court action also addressed broader governance issues within the institution, including the restoration of voting rights to Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), who originally filed the lawsuit in December 2025. Beatty contended that the renaming and a proposed $257 million renovation were oversteps by the Trump-led board. According to JURIST, the board had already begun to comply with the requirements ahead of schedule, despite their immediate plans to challenge the decision.
The Kennedy Center board took steps to appeal the ruling, with the US Department of Justice filing on behalf of the center and requesting a stay. Nonetheless, Cooper denied the stay on June 12, observing a lack of demonstrated irreparable harm and low likelihood of success in overturning the ruling. A subsequent request for an immediate administrative stay was also denied by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, though the court set dates for briefing the broader stay motion, allowing the conversation to continue in the courts.
In his response to the ruling, Trump criticized the judge’s decision on social media, suggesting a disengagement from the institution. Meanwhile, Beatty remarked that the Kennedy Center represents public ownership and responsibility. The court’s decision has potentially set precedent regarding the governance of federally chartered institutions and could see further implications if the appeals process succeeds.
As this litigation continues, a parallel suit led by preservationists aimed at halting the renovations on historic preservation grounds was dismissed on the same day Cooper ruled in favor of Beatty, maintaining the focus on governance rather than preservation concerns. The outcome of the appeal process promises to shape the future management of the Kennedy Center, with significant cultural and legal implications.