Employees at the Kennedy Center have been instructed to begin removing President Donald Trump’s name from the performing arts venue following a federal court ruling that blocked efforts to rename the institution.
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According to an internal memo sent on Thursday and first obtained by CBS News, the center’s legal team directed staff to immediately revert to the venue’s official title, “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” or simply “Kennedy Center,” in all communications and materials.
The directive requires updates to email signatures, letterhead, official documents and other branding elements. It also sets a June 12 deadline for replacing interior and exterior signs and removing the Trump-associated name from furniture and other physical assets across the facility.
Staff Ordered to Restore Original Name
The memo represents the clearest indication yet that the arts institution is complying with a recent federal court decision that found the renaming effort unlawful.
Last week, District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ruled in favour of Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees. Beatty challenged both the decision to rename the institution and a separate plan to close it for two years to undertake major renovations.
Court Ruling Forces Compliance
In his ruling, Cooper said federal law leaves no ambiguity regarding the center’s identity.
“The Kennedy Center’s organic statute makes crystal clear that 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,” the judge wrote.
The court determined that the board lacked authority to formally change the institution’s name, which was established by Congress in honour of President John F. Kennedy.
Renovation Plans Remain Uncertain
While the ruling halted the renaming effort, it did not outright prevent the planned closure of the venue for renovation work.
The Kennedy Center is scheduled to begin a $257 million renovation project on July 5. However, the internal memo stated that officials are still evaluating their next steps and will provide further guidance on whether the facility will remain open beyond that date.
Cooper said the board could revisit the closure proposal, provided it does so carefully and in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
“The Court is not persuaded that the closure is categorically unwarranted or impermissible under the U.S. Code,” he wrote, adding that the preliminary injunction does not prevent the board from reconsidering the matter.
Trump Criticises Judge
Trump sharply criticised Cooper following the ruling, saying the judge should “be ashamed of himself” for blocking the administration’s proposal to rename the venue as “The Trump Kennedy Center.”
Since returning to office, Trump has pursued a broader effort to place his name on federal initiatives, buildings and programmes.
Among the changes, Trump’s name has been added to the exterior of the U.S. Institute of Peace building in Washington, while a large banner featuring his image was displayed outside the Justice Department headquarters. Several government initiatives, including TrumpRx, a prescription drug discount programme, and Trump Accounts, an investment scheme for children, also carry his name.
The Hill said it had contacted the Kennedy Center for comment.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 5 June 2026