A federal judge has ordered the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ruling that the institution's name cannot be changed without approval from Congress.
The decision, delivered by Judge Christopher Cooper on Friday, requires all references to Trump's name on the building, official signs, and promotional materials to be removed within 14 days. The ruling also temporarily blocks plans to close the center for major renovations.
The controversy began after a Trump-appointed board voted in late 2025 to rename the landmark arts venue and add the president's name to its official title. Critics argued that the move violated the law establishing the center as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy.
Following the court's decision, Trump announced that he would step back from active involvement in the institution's leadership. In a statement, he criticized the ruling and argued that his efforts were aimed at restoring the center's finances, facilities, and artistic reputation.
The lawsuit was filed by Representative Joyce Beatty, who challenged both the renaming effort and plans to shut down the venue for two years. She welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for the rule of law and the preservation of a national cultural institution.
Judge Cooper stated that Congress originally established and named the Kennedy Center, meaning only Congress has the authority to approve any formal name change. He also restored voting rights to trustees who had been stripped of their authority under recent board decisions.
The case marks another high-profile legal challenge involving the Trump administration and raises fresh questions about the future leadership and direction of one of America's most prominent cultural institutions.
.jpeg)
.jpeg "Sunayen kofofin aljanna guda takwas 8")
0 Comment about the Post: