Kennedy Center Removes Trump Name After Court Order

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts removed all signage that renamed the venue after former President Donald Trump, complying with a federal court order. Matt Floca, the center's executive director and chief operating officer, told a judge on Saturday that the board of trustees had taken down the lettering on the building’s facade and grounds, including the front portico.

A tarp covering the scaffolding used for the removal remains in place, so the public cannot yet see the original "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" lettering. The center had sought extensions to meet a noon-Saturday deadline after two courts denied its request to pause the order.

Rep. Joyce Beatty, a board member who sued to have the name removed, said the decision reflected the rule of law. "Today's victory is the beginning of returning the Kennedy Center to the American people," she said in a statement.

The removal concludes a chapter that began when Trump, after returning to office in January 2025, replaced the center’s leadership and added his name to the building. The court’s ruling also blocked a planned two-year renovation shutdown that had been scheduled to start next month.

The Kennedy Center’s upcoming schedule includes productions of "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" and "Bluey’s Big Play," as well as a ceremony honoring comedian Bill Maher on June 28. The institution faces uncertainty about future programming and staffing levels, and it has indicated that it may seek to restore the former name if an appeal is successful.