President Donald Trump has been ordered by a federal judge to remove his name from the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., after he unilaterally added it in December. The judge ruled that the institution is legally dedicated to former President John F. Kennedy and that only Congress has the authority to change its name.
Judge's Ruling
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper issued the ruling on Friday, stating that the Kennedy Center's organic statute clearly designates the center for President Kennedy. He wrote, 'Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.' The judge gave Trump two weeks to remove his name from all signs and materials.
The court also temporarily halted a planned two-year renovation project set to begin in July, describing the administration's proposal as 'murky' and noting that board members lacked sufficient information to make an informed decision.
Trump's Response
Reacting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that he took 'great pride in taking over a losing Institution' and looked forward to making it a 'WINNER.' He accused Judge Cooper and the 'Radical Left' of wanting the center to 'DIE' rather than allowing him to transform it. Trump stated he would seek to work with Congress to end the administration's oversight role at the institution.
Background
Trump added his name to the Kennedy Center in December 2025, renaming it 'The Donald Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center of Performing Arts.' The move followed his appointment as chairman of the board of trustees in February 2025, which drew widespread criticism. The board later approved the name change, sparking cancellations by artists and performance groups, including the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton.
Reactions
Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center, praised the ruling, saying, '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.'
The center has already reduced programming and laid off most of its programming staff amid the controversy.
