Kennedy Center board votes to put Trump’s name back on building

The board of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC has decided to include President Donald Trump's name on the building's facade, just two months after a judge ordered its removal. Many members of the board are supporters of President Trump. On Thursday, they chose to add "Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump" to the center's official name.

Democrat Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who is also a board member, criticized the decision, calling it an attempt to bypass the court's ruling and disregarding the congressional statutes. She vowed to continue her fight for the cultural landmark. A White House spokesperson stated that President Trump's leadership is transforming the Kennedy Center into the world's premier cultural institution.

The board also decided to move forward with a two-year renovation closure, which was previously halted by a federal judge. Judge Christopher Cooper ruled last May that the addition of President Trump's name to the Washington DC venue was unlawful, as it cannot be renamed without congressional approval. The judge ordered the name to be taken down, which occurred last month despite a last-minute attempt by the Trump administration to halt the order.

The appeals court did not intervene immediately, allowing the removal to continue pending further arguments. The Trump administration argued that renaming the center could cause confusion if the decision was later reversed. The case originated from a broader legal dispute over renaming the cultural institution, which US law regards as a memorial to John F Kennedy.

President Trump added his name to the institution last year as part of other rebranding efforts in the nation's capital. In February 2025, he replaced several trustees on the center's board and appointed himself as a trustee before being elected as the arts center's chairman.