SouthernWorldwide.com – A federal judge has mandated the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, asserting that only Congress possesses the authority to rename the esteemed institution.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper delivered the ruling, stating that the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees had exceeded its legal authority by unilaterally altering the venue’s name. The decision emphasizes that the iconic performing arts center is statutorily designated to honor President Kennedy.
As a direct consequence of this judicial order, the Trump administration is now required to dismantle all physical signage bearing Trump’s name. Furthermore, any official documentation or materials that refer to a “Trump-Kennedy Center” must be expunged.
Judge Cooper’s written opinion clearly articulated that the Kennedy Center’s foundational legislation explicitly dictates its name in honor of President Kennedy. He stressed that the Board of Trustees does not have the unilateral power to bestow any other formal name or public memorial upon the building.
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This ruling follows a previous denial by Cooper of a preliminary injunction sought by a preservation group. That injunction aimed to halt the planned two-year closure of the Kennedy Center for a rehabilitation project.
Both the current case concerning the renaming and the previous matter regarding the closure are expected to proceed through further litigation, with appeals being a likely outcome.
The decision was met with praise from Beatty, who holds an ex officio position on the Kennedy Center’s board. He commended the judge’s ruling on Friday.
Trump’s name was initially added to the venue’s designation in December, following an unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. This action occurred after Trump was elected chairman of the Kennedy Center board in February 2025, a transition that involved the removal of 18 trustees previously appointed by former President Joe Biden.
