WASHINGTON — Workers removed President Donald Trump's name from the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on Saturday, following a federal court ruling that deemed the addition of his name unlawful.
The removal took place hours after a court-ordered Friday deadline, with crews working behind scaffolding and a tarp early Saturday morning. Kennedy Center Executive Director Matt Floca informed the court that the institution had fully complied with the order, removing all physical signage referencing Trump from the building and grounds.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in May that the Kennedy Center's board of trustees, whose members were appointed by Trump, had overstepped its authority by renaming the venue the Trump Kennedy Center. The judge determined that only Congress could alter the institution's name, as it was established by law in 1964 as the national memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
The board had voted in December 2025 to add Trump's name. Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, an ex-officio board member, filed a lawsuit after she was reportedly muted during a virtual meeting on the matter. Beatty described the court's decision as a victory for the rule of law.
The Trump administration and the Kennedy Center board sought delays and appeals, citing weather issues among other factors, but federal courts rejected those requests. The center was granted a brief extension until noon Saturday to complete the work.
The Kennedy Center reverted to its original name, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Officials confirmed that references to Trump were also removed from the institution's website, official materials and other signage.
A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the removal. Trump had previously highlighted the renaming as part of broader efforts related to the center.
The episode marks the latest development in disputes over the governance and naming of the prominent performing arts venue. The Kennedy Center, a federally funded institution, hosts a range of cultural events and remains a major landmark in the nation's capital.
As of Saturday, the physical removal process was complete, according to court filings and Kennedy Center statements. Further legal proceedings regarding the case remain possible.
