Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Center after judge’s order

Workers began pulling down the former U.S. President Donald Trump’s name from the front entrance of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., a day after a court deadline for its removal.

The name had been added to the performing‑arts venue unlawfully. A federal judge found this action improper and ordered it to be taken down by June 12, the end of the court’s deadline.

Crews inspected scaffolding on Friday evening, but thunderstorms delayed the work until early Saturday. Onlookers gathered to witness the removal, with some chanting “take it down.”

The judge’s order followed a broader legal dispute over the renaming of the cultural institution, which federal law enshrines as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.

In early hours, workers hung long plastic sheeting over the structure, masking the removal of the letters. The Trump administration’s last‑minute request to pause the removal was denied by the judge.

US District Court Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the Kennedy Center could not be renamed without congressional approval and blocked the venue’s temporary closure during proposed renovations.

An appeals court declined to intervene, allowing the removal to proceed while further arguments continue.

The Trump administration argued that changing the center’s name could cause confusion if the decision were to be overturned later, but the judge rejected that claim.

President Trump announced the addition of his name to the institution last year, along with other rebranding measures across Washington. In February 2025, he replaced several trustees, appointed himself as a trustee, and was later elected chairman of the center’s board.

Key Takeaway: The Kennedy Center’s removal of Trump’s name marks the end of a highly publicized renaming battle, underscoring the legal limits on altering memorial institutions without congressional consent.