Appeals Court Refuses to Restore Trump's Kennedy Center Name

A U.S. appeals court has rejected President Donald Trump's request to halt a lower court order requiring his name to be removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, after judges found no evidence that the decision would cause irreparable harm.

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A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an unsigned order on Wednesday denying the request from Trump and fellow members of the center's board. The court noted that Trump's name had already been removed from the building's facade.

The judges said the board had "failed to show how they will be irreparably injured absent a stay," rejecting its argument that removing Trump's name could damage fundraising efforts and contribute to the center's financial decline.

The panel, which included Trump appointee Gregory Katsas, also said the board had not provided any specific facts or evidence to support its claims about potential financial harm.

Lower Court Decision

The ruling leaves in place a May decision by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who found that the Trump-controlled board acted unlawfully when it voted in December to rename the venue the "Trump-Kennedy Center."

Judge Cooper also invalidated the board's decision to close the performing arts center for renovations beginning this month.

Reaction and Next Steps

Following the appeals court's decision, Joyce Beatty welcomed the ruling, saying it reaffirmed that the administration's efforts to rename the Kennedy Center were unlawful and urged the administration to accept the outcome.

Judge Cooper has instructed the Kennedy Center's leadership to provide an update on any programming or renovation plans that emerge from a board meeting expected to take place in mid-July.

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9 July 2026