Donald Trump’s name must be removed from the Kennedy Center after a federal judge ruled that the controversial renaming violated U.S. law.
Donald Trump’s attempt to place his name on Washington’s Kennedy Center has suffered a major legal setback.
A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board did not have the legal authority to rename the landmark without congressional approval.
The decision means all references to the “Trump Kennedy Center” must be removed within 14 days.
Congress must approve renaming
The controversy dates back to December 2025, when the Kennedy Center board voted to rename the venue “The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” The move sparked backlash from Democrats, members of the Kennedy family, and legal experts, who argued that federal law reserves naming authority to Congress.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper agreed.
“Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” Cooper wrote in his ruling.
The judge ordered the removal of all physical signage and official references bearing Trump’s name, including wording displayed on the building itself.
Microphones allegedly muted during vote
The legal challenge was brought by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who said she had been prevented from opposing the renaming during the board vote.
Beatty alleged that microphones were muted and that the vote was not truly unanimous, despite White House claims at the time.
Her account was later echoed by John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, who claimed on social media that “microphones were muted” during the meeting and that the vote was “NOT unanimous.”
Cooper also blocked plans to close the Kennedy Center for two years for major renovations, finding that the board had not properly considered its legal responsibilities.
Following the ruling, Kennedy Center Vice President Roma Daravi said the organization remains confident that an appeal will succeed.
“We remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue,” Daravi said.
