Federal judge upholds order to remove Trump name from Kennedy Center
A federal judge has ordered President Trump's name removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and the Trump administration's appeals to delay the deadline have been rejected. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in May that the Kennedy Center's board had no legal authority to unilaterally rename the institution without Congressional approval. Trump's name was added to the building's facade in December 2025 after his handpicked board voted to rebrand it as the Trump Kennedy Center. On June 12, 2026, the appeals court denied a last-minute request to pause the removal. Workers began removing Trump's name from the building's exterior on Saturday morning, June 13th. The judge determined that Congress established the Kennedy Center as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy in 1964, and only Congress can change that designation. The ruling is currently under appeal, with further legal arguments scheduled for late June.
Key facts
- Federal Judge Christopher Cooper ordered Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center on May 29, 2026, with a June 12 deadline.
- Trump's name was added to the building facade and branding in December 2025 by a board chaired by Trump himself.
- Kennedy Center was established by Congress in 1964 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
- Appeals court rejected delays and a Trump appointee, Obama appointees, and the unanimous unsigned ruling upheld the removal.
- Trump's name was physically removed from the building on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
- The case continues under appeal with next legal arguments due June 22-29, 2026.
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets and Democratic officials frame the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and constitutional governance. Rep. Joyce Beatty, who sued to block the name change, stated the decision protects Kennedy Center as a sacred memorial to JFK and upholds Congressional intent. They emphasize that Trump's attempt to rename the building represented an abuse of power and attack on institutional integrity.
Right-leaning coverage: Trump himself characterized the ruling as evidence of a rigged court system and attacked Judge Cooper. The administration argued in filings that donors gave money specifically because of Trump's name, and that removing it would create public confusion and potentially force return of hundreds of millions in fundraised renovations money. Trump threatened to withdraw from Kennedy Center renovation plans if unable to proceed freely.
Limits of this briefing
Coverage is limited on how Congressional Republicans have publicly responded to the ruling, beyond Trump's own social media statements. Some right-leaning outlets covered the case procedurally rather than with political framing.
Sources
- CNN: Kennedy Center says it has fully removed Trump's name from its building Centre
- NBC News: Judge temporarily halts Kennedy Center closure and orders removal of Trump's name from building Centre
- NPR: Kennedy Center appeals judge's ruling to remove Trump's name Centre
- Fox News: Kennedy Center must remove Trump's name, federal judge orders in ruling Right
- CNBC: Trump name must be removed from Kennedy Center by Friday night as appeals court rejects delay Centre