Removal of Trump’s Name from Kennedy Center Underway
Early Saturday morning, construction crews began the process of removing President Donald Trump’s name from the facade of the Kennedy Center. This action comes six months after a committee appointed by Trump voted to attach his name to the iconic performing arts venue.
Protests and Public Reactions
Workers removed the lettering that had been added in December, which included Trump’s name alongside “John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center.” The original signage had been in place since construction commenced in 1964. As crews prepared for the removal, dozens of protesters gathered to express their support and celebrate the change.
Judicial Ruling on Name Change
A federal judge previously ruled that the center’s board of directors lacks the authority to unilaterally change the building’s name, stating that Trump’s name must be removed by June 12. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper emphasized the legal aspect, asserting, “Congress named the Kennedy Center, and only Congress can change that name.”
Delay in Compliance
Late Friday night, the Justice Department requested a 12-hour extension to certify compliance with the court’s order, attributing the delay to thunderstorms. According to Justice Department attorneys, “Removal efforts are currently underway, and Defendants anticipate that they will be completed in the early morning hours of June 13, 2026.”
Legal Maneuvers and Funding Concerns
Trump first proposed the idea of branding the Kennedy Center with his name in a post on Truth Social last August. In a last-ditch effort to prevent the judge’s order from taking effect, the Kennedy Center sought a block, which was ultimately denied just hours before the deadline. In a petition to a federal appeals court, the center argued that removing the name could lead to a return of hundreds of millions of dollars raised for renovations due to previously undisclosed changes to the center’s bylaws.
Appellate Court’s Decision
The Court of Appeals dismissed the Kennedy Center’s request for a pause on the name removal. An attorney representing Ohio Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member who initiated the lawsuit, described the center’s claims as “baseless,” insisting the funding issue had never been previously raised in a lower court.
Statements on the Outcome
Following the removal efforts, Beatty declared the action a “victory,” suggesting it marked the beginning of restoring the Kennedy Center to the American public. She emphasized, “Today’s victory is a testament to the rule of law. It sends a message to the nation: if we stand up, fight back, and protect our democracy, we can win. This is just the beginning.”
This week, Kennedy Center lawyers instructed staff to erase all official signage featuring Trump’s name in compliance with the May 29 order. As of Monday, Trump’s name has been removed from the center’s website, which has reverted to its previous branding. The judge’s ruling also blocked a plan by Trump’s board of directors to close the center for two years for renovations, labeling the proposal as “ill-informed decisions that appeared to have been predetermined.”
