The Kennedy Center has begun removing references to President Donald Trump from official materials after a federal judge ruled that the institution’s board lacked the authority to add his name to the landmark performing arts venue.
In guidance issued Thursday, the center’s legal office instructed staff to eliminate references to “Trump-Kennedy Center” and “The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” from official communications and materials. Employees were directed to use the venue’s original name, “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” or simply “the Kennedy Center.”
The directive applies to email signatures, letterhead, signage, brochures and website content, with compliance required by June 12.
The move follows a ruling last week by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who found that the Kennedy Center’s board exceeded its authority when it voted in December to add Trump’s name to the institution. The court ordered the center to remove any references suggesting the venue is named after anyone other than President John F. Kennedy.
Despite the order, Trump’s name remained visible on the exterior of the building as of Thursday afternoon.
The court also addressed the board’s decision earlier this year to temporarily close the Kennedy Center for a planned two-year, $250 million renovation project. Cooper said the board relied on an incomplete review process and failed to fully consider its legal obligations before approving the closure.
While the judge did not block the renovation plans outright, he ordered the board to follow proper procedures before moving forward with any decision to shut down the facility.
Trump has taken an active interest in the Kennedy Center during his second term, becoming involved in programming decisions and publicly promoting changes at the venue. He also floated the idea of attaching his name to the institution before the board formally approved the renaming effort last year.
The latest court ruling represents a setback for those efforts and restores the Kennedy Center’s original branding while legal and administrative questions surrounding the institution continue to unfold.
