Kennedy Center removes Trump name from branding after judge order

A U.S. district judge, Christopher R. Cooper, ruled that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts could not bear former President Donald J. Trump’s name without congressional approval. The court ordered the venue to remove all references to “Trump” from its branding and set a June 12 deadline for compliance.

The Kennedy Center has complied by deleting Trump’s name from its website, YouTube channel, and internal documents, and staff were instructed to change email signatures, letterheads, signage, brochures and other materials. The building’s façade still displays “Donald J. Trump” pending the deadline.

Cooper’s decision also temporarily blocked a planned two‑year renovation that the Trump‑aligned board had approved. President Trump reacted on Truth Social, calling the judge “shameful” and initially suggesting he might transfer control of the center to Congress, before later saying the renovation would proceed. The center will later honor comedian Bill Maher with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.