A U.S. federal judge has issued a ruling ordering the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., stating that the venue cannot be renamed without congressional approval. The decision, delivered on Friday, May 29, by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, also halts the center's planned temporary closure during upcoming renovations.
Judge's Ruling Details
According to the order, Trump's name must be taken down from the building's façade, signage, digital displays, and official materials within 14 days. The venue will revert to its original name, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, as established when it opened in 1971.
In a 94-page opinion, Judge Cooper wrote: "The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so. Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle arose after Trump became involved with the institution's leadership in 2025, including his appointment as chairman of the board and a decision to rename the venue "The Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." In February 2025, Trump replaced several trustees, appointed himself as a trustee, and was later voted in as chairman of the arts centre's board.
Response from the Kennedy Center
A spokesperson for the center, Roma Daravi, announced plans to appeal the ruling. "We are confident that on appeal the court will uphold the Board's will to recognize President Trump's historic contributions to our nation's cultural center," Daravi said. She added that the institution would also review the ruling on the planned renovation closure, while insisting urgent repairs were still necessary. "Though the reality remains, the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration, a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges. With $257 million secured by President Trump and approved by Congress, the resources are in place and we remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure the Trump Kennedy Center is restored as a national cultural landmark for all Americans to enjoy."
Plaintiff's Reaction
Board member Joyce Beatty, who brought part of the legal challenge, praised the ruling. "Today's ruling rightly affirms that this administration's efforts to rename and close the Center have no basis in law. The Kennedy Center is an institution that belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump. He has desecrated this sacred memorial for his own vanity. I am proud to have fought for the rule of law and to protect this sacred institution."
Historical Significance
The Kennedy Center was established in memory of President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1963, and remains one of the United States' leading cultural institutions.
