The judge said the pro-Trump board’s move to add the president’s name was illegal and required Congressional approval.
Published June 13, 2026
Workers have begun removing President Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., following a court ruling.
On Saturday, workers could be seen on scaffolding in front of the iconic building, with white awnings hiding the removal efforts.
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A day earlier, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper rejected a last-minute appeal by the center’s pro-Trump board that sought to block an earlier ruling that sought to remove the president’s name.
On May 29, Mr. Cooper ruled that the building’s name had been illegally changed, noting that only the U.S. Congress has the authority to pass legislation to make such a change.
He set a 14-day deadline for deletion.
“The public interest is rarely served by the ‘perpetuation’ of ‘illegal’ government actions,” Cooper said in Friday’s decision.
Trump, a real estate and development heir, made a career out of ubiquitous branding of his name, which still flaunts his name on apartment buildings, casinos and golf courses around the world.
He has taken a similar approach to his presidency, renaming the defunct U.S. Institute of Peace the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace.
The White House is pushing for President Trump’s portrait to be featured on the $250 bill to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The U.S. State Department announced that it will issue special passports bearing Trump’s likeness and signature to commemorate the event.
President Trump is also pushing ahead with several controversial construction projects in the nation’s capital, including demolishing the East Wing of the White House to build a vast ballroom.
A legal challenge to the project by the National Trust for Historic Preservation was being heard in federal court.
After taking office, Trump filled the Kennedy Center board with supporters.
They voted for the name change in December, and “Donald J. Trump” was added to the building’s facade shortly after.
After the change, several artists canceled their performances.
Judge Cooper also temporarily blocked President Trump’s plan to close the center for two years for renovations.
President Trump responded to the ruling by saying he has “no interest in continuing” to engage with the agency.
