Kennedy Center seeks to restore Donald Trump name on facade amid legal dispute
The Kennedy Center filed a status report proposing to add President Donald Trump’s name to its signage and rename its grounds, while a federal judge is asked to rule on the dispute with Rep. Joyce Beatty over renovation and a protective tarp.
The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts submitted a status report to a federal court outlining plans to reinstall former President Donald J. Trump’s name on its facade and, if a donor fund reaches $100 million, to add a dedication line stating the center was "Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump, Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund." The board also proposed naming the grounds "President Donald J. Trump Plaza," though it said any signage change would not occur before Sept. 8.
The filing, addressed to Judge Christopher R. Cooper, also defended the tarp covering the entrance as a necessary measure to protect marble paneling during construction. Rep. Joyce Beatty’s attorneys urged an expedited ruling, arguing the tarp and scaffolding were being used to thwart a court order that the center remain a memorial solely to President Kennedy.
Beatty’s lawyers cited a recent presentation by Delta Consulting Group, which offered both total and partial shutdown options for the complex, and questioned the firm’s experience in arts management. The filing noted that detailed building plans and the consultant’s report are sealed.
In a separate announcement, the National Symphony Orchestra, a primary tenant of the Kennedy Center, disclosed its 2026-27 season will be presented at six venues across the Washington, D.C., area. Internal sources indicated the orchestra is facing significant financial challenges linked to a broader boycott of the Kennedy Center, a situation first reported by a major newspaper.