Trump cannot add his name to Kennedy Center, court rules; president fumes

Washington DC: A major legal battle over one of America's most prominent cultural institutions escalated on May 30 after a federal judge ruled that the Kennedy Center's board exceeded its authority by renaming the venue after President Donald Trump and approving a lengthy closure for renovation work.

The ruling represents another setback for Trump's efforts to reshape major public institutions and landmarks during his second term in office.

Judge orders Trump name removed

US District Judge Christopher Cooper directed Kennedy Center officials to remove all references to Trump from the institution within 14 days. This includes physical signage, digital materials and any official references describing the venue as the "Trump Kennedy Center" or the "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."

In a detailed 94-page ruling, Cooper stated that the Kennedy Center's official name was established by Congress and could not be changed solely through a decision made by the institution's board of trustees.

According to the judge, the legislation creating the centre makes it clear that the institution is dedicated to former US President John F. Kennedy and that only Congress has the authority to alter that designation.

The court also permanently prohibited the institution from displaying or maintaining signs that suggest it is formally named after anyone other than Kennedy.

Why the dispute began

The controversy began in December 2025 when the Kennedy Center's board voted to rename the venue the "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."

The move immediately triggered criticism from lawmakers, historians, arts organisations and members of the Kennedy family. Critics argued that the board lacked the legal authority to make such a change because the Kennedy Center was created through congressional legislation.

Supporters of the decision maintained that Trump's administration had invested significant effort into revitalising the institution and believed his contributions warranted recognition.

The legal challenge that followed centred on whether the board possessed the power to alter the name of a congressionally established national memorial.

Court blocks closure plan

Judge Cooper also struck down plans to temporarily close the Kennedy Center for an extensive renovation project.

The proposal was first announced by Trump in February 2026 and later approved unanimously by the board on March 16. Under the plan, the facility was expected to close after July 4 celebrations and remain shut for nearly two years while major construction and modernisation work took place.

However, the judge found that trustees had failed to adequately evaluate how the institution would continue fulfilling its legal responsibilities during a prolonged shutdown.

Cooper described the board's decision as "ill-informed and seemingly preordained," concluding that there was insufficient evidence that members seriously considered alternative approaches before voting.

The ruling does not prevent renovation work altogether. Instead, it requires any future closure plan to account for the Kennedy Center's statutory obligations and public responsibilities.

Trump blasts ruling

Trump responded forcefully to the decision through a lengthy social media statement, accusing Judge Cooper of making a politically motivated ruling.

The president argued that the Kennedy Center had suffered from years of neglect, financial difficulties and poor maintenance before his administration became involved. He claimed the renovation project was necessary to address serious structural concerns and modernise the facility.

Trump also emphasised that the board had unanimously supported both the closure plan and the decision to add his name to the institution.

In his statement, Trump cited warnings from construction experts regarding allegedly deteriorating infrastructure, including rotting support beams and parking structures that he claimed posed safety risks.

The president criticised Cooper, noting that the judge was appointed by former President Barack Obama, and argued that the court ignored expert recommendations regarding the condition of the building.

Trump abandons renovation effort

Following the ruling, Trump announced that he would no longer pursue the renovation project under the court-imposed restrictions.

He stated that unless he was allowed to fully implement his vision for restoring the institution, he had no interest in continuing the effort.

Trump further revealed that he had instructed members of his administration to work with Congress on transferring responsibility for the institution's operation, management and maintenance back to lawmakers.

According to the president, Congress should now decide the future direction of what he described as a struggling institution.

Kennedy Center reviewing decision

The Kennedy Center has not immediately accepted the ruling and is reviewing its legal options.

Roma Daravi, the institution's vice president of public relations, said officials were examining the court's decision. She indicated that the centre remained confident that future legal proceedings could support the board's desire to recognise Trump's contributions to the institution.

The case is expected to generate further legal challenges, and appeals remain possible.

The Kennedy Center dispute forms part of a broader campaign by Trump during his second term to leave a lasting mark on Washington's public landscape.

His administration has supported several high-profile projects involving federal buildings, public memorials and historic institutions across the US capital.

Among the initiatives promoted by the administration are plans to renovate major government facilities, add Trump's name or likeness to selected federal sites and construct new monuments in prominent locations around Washington.

Several of these efforts have faced legal opposition, with courts repeatedly being asked to determine whether executive actions and board decisions comply with existing laws and congressional authority.

For now, the Kennedy Center must remove Trump's name from all official references within two weeks and cannot proceed with the planned two-year closure under the existing proposal.

While renovation work may still occur in some form, any future plan will need to satisfy the court's concerns regarding the institution's legal responsibilities.

The dispute has also reignited debate over presidential influence on public institutions, congressional authority over national memorials and the limits of executive power in reshaping America's cultural landmarks.