A federal judge has blocked the Kennedy Center from temporarily closing for a yearslong renovation and ruled that its board broke the law by adding President Donald Trump’s name to the historic performing arts venue.
Judge Rules Kennedy Center Must Keep Its Original Name
US District Judge Casey Cooper stated that the law clearly names the center after President John F. Kennedy and that no one else can change it. Cooper emphasized that Congress alone has the authority to rename the center.
The judge ordered that all signs and digital references to “Trump Kennedy Center” or the “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” be removed within two weeks. The ruling permanently blocks the center from displaying or maintaining any signage suggesting it is named for anyone other than Kennedy.
Trump Signals Backing Down
After the ruling, Trump indicated he would step back from efforts to rename and control the Kennedy Center. He announced on Truth Social that he instructed the Department of Commerce to work with Congress to transfer full responsibility for the center’s operation, maintenance, and management. Trump said he had no interest in continuing unless he could act freely, though details of the transfer were not immediately clear.
Renovations Can Proceed but Full Closure Is Blocked
Judge Cooper noted that the center can still carry out renovations on the decades-old building but cannot completely close until the board fully considers its legal obligations to maintain programming. Cooper criticized the board for failing to account for these responsibilities when planning a two-year closure, calling the decision “foreordained.”
Kennedy Center Responds and Plans Appeal
Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president of public relations, said the board intends to appeal the decision and believes Trump’s contributions should be recognized. She also noted the building urgently requires restoration, including updates to HVAC systems, theater seating, drainage, and soffit panels.
Victory for Congresswoman Joyce Beatty
The ruling is a major win for Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, an ex-officio board member who sued last year over the renaming and closure plans.
Beatty argued that board members were not given proper documents or time to review the renovation plans before the vote to close the center. Cooper agreed, saying trustees only learned about the closure through social media and had no meaningful chance to consider the decision.
Concerns About Closure’s Impact
Under Trump’s leadership, the Kennedy Center faced major changes, including programmatic shifts, declining ticket sales, and some artists pulling out. staff warned that a full closure could lead performers to seek other venues, make it difficult to retain expert staff, and reduce audience and donor support. Cooper cited these concerns, emphasizing the board did not properly consider the risks before voting.
