The Kennedy Center’s Trump Name Is Being Removed After Court Order

Kennedy Center Forced to Drop “Trump” from All References

A new memo from the Kennedy Center’s legal team orders staff to remove every mention of “Trump” from all materials. The directive follows a federal judge’s ruling that the center cannot carry a president’s name without congressional approval. The change comes after former President Trump had added his own name to the building last year, sparking legal action from a Democratic congresswoman and board member.

Key points of the memo:

• Immediate updates required for email signatures, letterheads, brochures, websites, and other printed material.
• All signage must be altered by June 12.
• The center’s board had approved the rename in December, but a judge later declared it illegal.

Trump had threatened to transfer the center’s operations to Congress after the ruling, yet no physical removal of his name from the marble façade has taken place. The venue originally opened in 1971 as a tribute to President Kennedy, who died in 1963.

The rename was part of a broader Trump administration plan to remodel Washington’s historic core, including proposals for a new promenade to the Lincoln Memorial and a 250‑foot arch. This legal battle illustrates how even high‑profile cultural institutions can become entangled in politics and court rulings.