Kennedy Center Strips Donald Trump’s Name After Judge Rules Congress Must Approve Change

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that only Congress has the authority to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ordering the removal of the signage bearing former president Donald Trump’s name that the Center’s board had added.

Workers took down the letters overnight, meeting an 11:59 p.m. deadline after a brief extension due to severe thunderstorms. Crowds gathered outside the venue, but a large tarp erected around 3 a.m. obscured the final moments, disappointing onlookers. The removal occurred a day before Trump’s 80th‑birthday celebrations.

The same ruling blocked the board’s plan to close the Center for two years for extensive renovations. Trump responded on Truth Social, accusing the judge of interference and defending his proposed rebuilding project.