Court Orders Removal of Trump’s Name from Kennedy Center

Lawyers at the Trump Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts have instructed staff to revert the facility’s name to its original title, following a federal court order. This decision comes after a memo sent by the center’s general counsel, which CBS News obtained, marked the first official move to comply with Judge Christopher Cooper’s ruling. Last week, Judge Cooper ruled in favor of Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio. She had filed a lawsuit against the institution’s name change and temporary closure for renovations.

Judge Cooper stated the board exceeded its authority and mandated the removal of President Trump’s name from all signs and materials associated with the center. The memo instructed the staff to update email signatures, letterhead, and other documents to ‘The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ or simply ‘Kennedy Center.’ Both interior and exterior signage, along with any furniture bearing the current name, must revert by next Friday.

The Kennedy Center has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. Meanwhile, center officials are still evaluating whether the center will remain open after July 5, when planned renovations costing $257 million are set to begin. Judge Cooper acknowledged the renovation needs but noted that his injunction does not stop the board from closing the center if a new decision is made after careful consideration of its obligations.

The court emphasized its role is not to dictate the center’s operations but to ensure legal compliance. Earlier this year, President Trump replaced several Kennedy Center Board of Trustees members with allies who then voted him as chair. In December, the board decided to rename the institution as ‘The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,’ quickly updating the website to ‘The Trump Kennedy Center.’ This move faced criticism from lawmakers who stated that such a change required congressional approval.

The decision led to several artists canceling performances, and the executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra left for another position. The court’s ruling now requires the removal of President Trump’s name from the institution, signaling a return to its original designation.