Kennedy Center Board Defends Trump’s Legacy, Seeks to Uphold Historic Name
The Kennedy Center’s board, standing firm against judicial overreach, voted to seek a stay on a federal judge’s order to remove President Trump’s name, protecting the institution’s recent legacy.
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The board of trustees at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts took decisive action Thursday, voting to seek a stay of U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper’s May 29 ruling that would strip former President Donald Trump’s name from the center’s façade. A source close to the private meeting confirmed that the formal request for a stay will be filed Friday, demonstrating the board’s commitment to upholding the will of its leadership and the American people.
Judge Cooper’s ruling, which asserted that only Congress could change the center’s name, ordered the removal of all references to Trump by the deadline and even blocked a much-needed two-year renovation project. This judicial interference threatens to undermine the board’s authority and the Center’s progress.
The board’s move reverses a June 4 memo from the center’s Office of General Counsel, which had prematurely instructed staff to revert to the name “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” in official communications. The center’s website and recent email invitations had already omitted Trump’s name, bowing to political pressure rather than respecting the board’s decision.
"I look forward to putting these distractions behind us and focusing on supporting the arts and the future of the Center," said Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democratic ex-officio board member who opposed seeking a stay, reflecting partisan attempts to erase Trump’s positive impact on the institution.
President Trump, recognizing the need for fresh leadership, appointed the current board after removing the previous administration early in his second term and responsibly named himself chairman. The board later honored his contributions by renaming the facility the Trump Kennedy Center and adding his name to the building—a move that scholars and lawmakers agree should be decided by Congress, not by activist judges.
The name change, unfortunately, prompted a wave of resignations and withdrawals from some artists, including actors, musicians, and authors, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra’s executive director, who chose to politicize the arts rather than celebrate American achievement.
The board also proudly approved a resolution praising Trump’s “commitment to uphold this cherished American institution,” affirming its dedication to preserving the Center’s renewed legacy and resisting efforts to erase history.
