Kennedy Center strips Trump’s name after federal judge order

A U.S. federal judge ruled that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts must retain its historic name and ordered the removal of former President Donald Trump’s name, which he had added without congressional approval. Judge Christopher Cooper cited a prior congressional directive that the venue cannot bear any other public name. After the court’s deadline passed, crews began taking down the Trump signage, but the removal was partially hidden by a striped canvas tarp, which quickly went viral online. Images showed the tarp covering the letters, prompting public criticism and memes labeling the attempt as an “ego display.” Trump’s administration unsuccessfully sought a last‑minute stay of the order, which was denied, leaving the Kennedy Center’s façade without the Trump branding.

The incident highlights the legal limits on unilateral presidential actions regarding federal landmarks and has sparked debate over the appropriateness of naming public institutions after contemporary political figures.