Court rules renaming without congressional approval was unlawful; center must remove Trump's name from all displays by Friday

Scheduled New Year performances at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.'s premier performing arts venue, were canceled one after another following its renaming as the "Trump Kennedy Center." [AFP]
Scheduled New Year performances at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.'s premier performing arts venue, were canceled one after another following its renaming as the "Trump Kennedy Center." [AFP]

By Seo Ji-yeon, The Herald Business

The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.'s premier performing arts venue, has begun removing President Donald Trump's name from its title following a court order.

According to the Washington Post, the Kennedy Center removed Trump's name from its official website and YouTube channel on Monday.

However, the full name — "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" — remains on the building's exterior, and some social media accounts, including Instagram, Facebook and X, still display the renamed title.

The move follows a ruling by a federal district court in Washington that the renaming was unlawful.

The court found no legal basis for changing the center's name without congressional approval and ordered Trump's name removed from all displays by June 12. The Kennedy Center instructed staff to complete the work by June 4, according to reports.

The Washington Post described the development as the most visible public retreat yet in Trump's effort to take control of the Kennedy Center.

Since launching his second administration last year, Trump has pushed what he calls a "culture war" against liberal institutions, intervening aggressively in the Kennedy Center's operations.

He replaced most of the board and took on the role of chairman himself. The board then voted unanimously in December to rename the center the "Trump-Kennedy Center."

Trump also announced plans to shut down the center for roughly two years beginning in July for a full renovation.

The court ruled on May 29 that the renaming was unlawful and ordered Trump's name removed. It also ordered the renovation plans halted.


sjy@heraldcorp.com