A federal district court in Washington ruled that adding Donald Trump's name to the Kennedy Center was illegal and ordered its immediate removal [1].
The decision reverses a move by the center's board to rebrand the federal cultural institution, asserting that such a change requires congressional approval. This ruling prevents the board from unilaterally altering the identity of a landmark dedicated to the 35th U.S. president.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued the ruling on May 29, 2026 [1]. The court said that only Congress has the authority to change the name of a federal cultural institution, meaning the board's previous actions exceeded its legal power [2].
This legal battle follows a series of rapid changes at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In July 2025, Donald Trump announced a two-year closure of the facility for renovations [1]. Subsequently, the Kennedy Center board voted in December 2025 to rename the institution to include Trump's name [1].
The court's order requires the removal of the name from the building, signage, and all official materials [1]. Additionally, the federal court blocked the planned two-year closure, ordering the center to remain open to the public [2].
Trump said, "You should be ashamed" [1].
The ruling ensures the venue remains operational, contradicting previous plans for a long-term shutdown. The court's decision reinforces the principle that the naming of national monuments and federal institutions is a legislative prerogative rather than an administrative one [2].
“Only Congress has the authority to change the name of a federal cultural institution”
This ruling establishes a significant legal precedent regarding the autonomy of federal boards versus legislative authority. By stripping the Trump name and blocking the renovation closure, the court has reaffirmed that the identity and accessibility of national cultural landmarks are protected by federal law and cannot be altered by administrative vote without an act of Congress.
