Kennedy Center lawyers tell staff they have until Friday to remove Trump’s name from iconic venue
Several artists have pulled out of shows at the center due to the president’s involvement in the site (Reuters)
A U.S. District Judge ruled that the Kennedy Center’s renaming to include Donald Trump’s name was illegal, asserting that only Congress has the authority to change the center’s official designation.
Following the court order, the Kennedy Center has begun removing Trump’s name from its website and is mandated to complete all other changes, including signage and brochures, by June 12, 2026.
The center’s executive director, Charles Matthew Floca, testified in court that stripping Trump’s name from the venue would cause “irreparable harm” to its fundraising and development objectives.
Donald Trump had appointed new board members in February 2025, who subsequently voted to rename the center, with new signage appearing on the building the day after the vote.
Donald Trump has publicly called for the impeachment of Judge Christopher Cooper, alleging a conflict of interest due to the judge’s wife’s political affiliations.
