US judge orders Trump's name be removed from Kennedy Center

May 29, 2026

A federal judge has mandated that President Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, ruling that congressional approval is required for any name change to the venue. The decision comes after Trump had himself appointed as board chairman, replaced multiple trustees, and renamed the institution to include his full name, which led to artist cancellations and declining ticket sales. The judge blocked Trump's plan to temporarily close the facility for renovations and ordered all references to Trump's name removed from physical, digital, and official materials within two weeks.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump (name removal ordered)
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (name change reversal and closure blocked)
Joyce Beatty (Ohio congresswoman and board member who filed lawsuit)
Former trustees who were stripped of voting rights
Artists who had cancelled bookings at the venue
Ticket buyers experiencing falling sales
The American people (as stakeholders in the public institution)

What action is being taken

The Kennedy Center must remove Trump's name from its title, façade, signage, and official materials within 14 days
The Kennedy Center is appealing the name-change order
Trump is working with Congress to transfer the institution back to them
The venue is reviewing the judge's decision on the renovations closure

Why it matters

This ruling establishes that the Kennedy Center is a congressional institution that cannot be unilaterally renamed by its board or the president without legislative approval. The decision protects the memorial's original purpose to honor President John F. Kennedy and affirms that cultural institutions belonging to the American people cannot be appropriated for individual recognition. The case also sets precedent for executive branch limitations over federally-chartered cultural institutions and addresses concerns about politically-motivated changes to national landmarks.

What's next

Trump's name must be removed from all Kennedy Center materials within 14 days
The Kennedy Center will appeal the name-change order
Trump will work with Congress to transfer the institution back to congressional control
The Kennedy Center will review the judge's decision regarding the planned renovations closure

Read full article from source: BBC