Kennedy Center Board Defies Court, Moves to Glorify Trump Across Facility
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In a controversial move, the Kennedy Center’s board—stacked with Trump loyalists—voted to plaster Donald Trump’s name across the iconic arts institution, disregarding a federal judge’s order and sparking outrage from lawmakers and legal experts.
The board of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, now dominated by Trump allies and former administration officials, approved a resolution to emblazon former President Donald J. Trump’s name on three prominent areas of the historic venue. Under this plan, the phrase “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump” would be placed directly beneath the center’s official name on the front facade, with a future inscription “Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund” to follow if a $100 million endowment is ever reached. The board also seeks to rename the grounds as “President Donald J. Trump Plaza,” an act that many see as an attempt to rewrite history and erase the legacy of President Kennedy in favor of Trump’s self-aggrandizement.
This resolution was filed in federal court on Tuesday, despite the fact that the board—chaired by Trump himself and packed with media personalities loyal to his brand—had already tried to add Trump’s name in December, provoking a lawsuit from Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH). In May, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that only Congress could authorize such a change, forcing the removal of Trump’s name from the center’s website and signage. Yet, the board continues to flout the law and democratic norms, pushing forward with their agenda.
Attorneys for Rep. Beatty argue that the new resolution blatantly violates the court order, pointing out that simply adding “Restored and Renovated by” or “Endowed by” does not circumvent the law. They reference statutes that prohibit additional memorials or plaques in public spaces at the Kennedy Center, underscoring the board’s disregard for legal boundaries. The center’s legal team, meanwhile, claims that the scaffolding and tarp covering the facade are merely for ongoing repairs, and that further changes will be delayed until at least September 8, when the court will revisit the issue.
In a separate maneuver, the board voted to pursue a two-year closure of the main facility, a move that would limit public access to the arts while maintaining only minimal programming at The Reach, an adjacent extension. The center’s attorneys cite a questionable independent analysis supporting a partial-closure option, which they claim would prolong construction and reduce revenue. Beatty’s team, however, challenges the adequacy of this analysis and is demanding a more thorough investigation. The center is also appealing the May decision that blocked the earlier closure plan, further entrenching its controversial course.
A Kennedy Center spokesperson declined to comment, leaving the public and arts community in the dark as the board continues its campaign to elevate Trump’s name at the expense of the institution’s founding values.