US judge orders removal of Trump's name from Kennedy Center

A federal district judge in Washington, Christopher Kupfer, ruled that adding former President Donald J. Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts violated the Center’s founding legislation, which reserves naming authority to Congress. The order requires the Trump signage to be taken down and any reference to a "Trump Kennedy Center" to cease within 14 days, while allowing essential renovation work to continue.

The judge also barred the Trump‑appointed board from shutting the Center for two years, noting the decision lacked sufficient justification. In response, Trump said he had directed the Commerce Department to work with Congress on transferring full control of the venue to lawmakers.

The ruling follows a challenge filed by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, who questioned the legality of the board’s name‑change vote. Artists and officials have widely criticized the name change, and the Center remains a premier national cultural venue.