Court Blocks ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ Name, Reaffirms Congress’ Authority Over National Memorial
Federal Court Rules Kennedy Center Cannot Be Renamed Without Congressional Approval
A U.S. federal judge has ordered the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the façade and official branding of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ruling that only Congress—not the institution’s board of trustees—has the legal authority to change the name of the federally established performing arts centre.
The decision, delivered by Christopher Cooper, represents a significant legal setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to rebrand the iconic venue after the president. The court held that the Kennedy Center’s governing statute makes clear that the institution is a national memorial dedicated to the late John F. Kennedy, and that any formal renaming requires an act of Congress.
Judge Says Board Exceeded Its Legal Authority
In a detailed ruling, Judge Cooper stated that the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees exceeded its statutory powers when it approved adding Trump’s name to the institution.
“The Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board’s unilateral say-so. Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” the judge wrote.
The court ordered officials to remove all physical signage bearing Trump’s name, eliminate references to a “Trump Kennedy Center” from official publications and online materials, and restore the institution’s legally recognised name.
Renaming Followed Board Overhaul
The legal dispute arose after President Trump reshaped the Kennedy Center’s leadership following his return to office.
A newly constituted board voted in late 2025 to add Trump’s name to the institution, renaming it “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” The move generated political controversy, criticism from members of the Kennedy family, lawmakers and sections of the arts community, and ultimately prompted a legal challenge questioning whether the board possessed the authority to alter the name established by federal law.
Court Also Blocks Planned Closure
Beyond the naming dispute, Judge Cooper also temporarily halted plans to close the Kennedy Center for an extended renovation project.
The court found that the board had not adequately demonstrated that a lengthy shutdown was legally or operationally justified, requiring the institution to continue fulfilling its statutory role while broader legal questions remain under consideration.
Administration Appeals as Name Is Removed
The Trump administration sought to delay implementation of the ruling but was unsuccessful after the court declined to suspend its order.
Workers subsequently removed the bronze lettering bearing Trump’s name from the building’s exterior, restored the official name of the Kennedy Center and updated the institution’s website and official materials in compliance with the court order.
Although the administration has continued pursuing legal appeals, the ruling reinforces the principle that Congress retains ultimate authority over the naming of federally designated national memorials.
