US Court Orders Removal of Trump’s Name from Kennedy Center

A major legal dispute in the United States has resulted in the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the iconic Kennedy Center, a nationally recognised performing arts institution in Washington, D.C.

The controversy began after the Kennedy Center’s governing board, led by Trump after he became its chairman in 2025, approved a decision to rename the institution. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty challenged the move in court, arguing that the board did not have the legal authority to change the name of a federally established institution.

On May 29, a federal judge ruled in Beatty’s favour, holding that only the US Congress has the power to change the name of the Kennedy Center because Congress originally created and named the institution. The court directed the center to remove Trump’s name from the building, its branding, website and trademark applications within 14 days.

Although the Kennedy Center board appealed the decision and sought to delay implementation of the order, both the trial court and an appellate court refused immediate relief. As a result, the institution complied with the order and completed the removal of Trump’s name before the deadline.

The case has attracted significant public attention because it raises questions about the limits of authority of public institutions and whether political leaders can rename federally established cultural landmarks without legislative approval.

The legal battle is not over yet. The appeal remains pending before a federal appellate court, and if the board ultimately succeeds, Trump’s name could potentially be restored in the future. Until then, the institution will continue to operate under its original name, honouring former US President John F. Kennedy.