The name of US President Donald Trump has been removed from the front of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC following a court order. The decision came after a federal judge ruled that the name had been added unlawfully and must be taken down immediately.
The performing arts venue confirmed in a court filing that it had fully complied with the ruling. It stated that Trump’s name no longer appears on the building, its website, or any official materials connected to the institution.
The case centers on a legal dispute over the naming rights of the Kennedy Center, a major cultural landmark in the United States. The venue is legally designated as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, and changes to its name require congressional approval.
US District Court Judge Christopher Cooper ruled last month that the renaming was not lawful. He ordered that all references to Trump’s name be removed by June 12. The court also blocked attempts to temporarily halt the ruling while appeals were considered.
Crews arrived at the site on Friday to begin the removal process, setting up scaffolding around the building. Work was briefly delayed due to thunderstorms, but continued early the following day under tight security and public attention.
An appeals court declined to immediately stop the enforcement of the ruling, allowing the removal process to continue. A last-minute request by the Trump administration to pause the order was also rejected.
Supporters and protesters gathered outside the Kennedy Center during the operation. Some people cheered as workers began covering the structure with scaffolding and protective sheeting. Others chanted in support of the court’s decision.
A group known as Hands Off the Arts also held a rally outside the venue. The organization says it aims to keep cultural institutions free from political influence and government control.
During the removal process, large sheets were placed over the building’s signage, blocking public view of the work. As of Saturday afternoon, the coverings remained in place while the removal continued.
The legal dispute stems from broader questions about political influence over national cultural institutions. The court ruled that the administration did not have the authority to rename the Kennedy Center without proper legal approval.
The Trump administration had argued that the name change was part of a wider effort to rebrand federal institutions. Officials also warned that removing the name could create confusion if future rulings reversed the decision.
The dispute escalated after Trump reportedly made changes to the leadership of the Kennedy Center board earlier in 2025, including appointing himself as a trustee and later becoming chairman of the arts institution.
However, the court ruling effectively reversed the naming decision, reinforcing that statutory protections govern the identity of the Kennedy Center. The building remains one of the most prominent cultural venues in the United States capital.
The case remains part of ongoing legal and political debates over the boundaries of executive authority and control over public institutions. Further appeals are still possible, but the current ruling has already been enforced.
