Kennedy Center starts removing Trump name from documents and signage after court order

WASHINGTON, DC: The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has begun taking steps to remove President Donald Trump's name from the institution following a federal court order requiring the reversal of a controversial rebranding effort.

According to an internal memo obtained by CBS News on Thursday, June 4, the center’s legal team has instructed staff to immediately begin restoring the facility’s original name across official documents, communications and signage.

The move comes after US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in favor of Rep Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and member of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees, who challenged both the name change and plans to temporarily close the center for major renovations.

Memo asks to remove Trump's name

The Court ruled that the Board acted beyond its authority in adding President Trump’s name to the Center and gave the Center 14 days from May 29 to remove all references to the Center being named for anyone other than John F Kennedy.

The letter stated: “To comply with this order, you must immediately change email signatures, letterhead, and other documents to reflect the name as 'The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts', or 'Kennedy Center.' Other changes, such as to templates and forms, signage, brochures, and website pages, must be completed no later than Friday, June 12, 2026.”

Renovation plans remain under review

While the name change is being reversed, uncertainty remains over plans for a two-year closure linked to a $257 million renovation project scheduled to begin this summer.

Center officials said they are still evaluating their options and have not yet decided whether the venue will remain open after July 5.

Although Cooper acknowledged that renovations are necessary, he emphasized that his ruling does not prevent the board from approving a closure in the future, provided it follows proper procedures and independently evaluates its responsibilities. 

“The Court does not purport to dictate how the Center should be run,” Cooper wrote, adding that the board must simply comply with legal requirements.

Controversial rebranding sparked backlash

The dispute traces back to the early months of Trump’s second term, when he replaced several members of the Kennedy Center’s board with administration allies, who later elected him as chair.

In December, the board voted to rename the institution “The Donald J Trump and The John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” The change was quickly implemented on the center’s website and building signage.

The decision drew criticism from lawmakers, legal experts and artists, many of whom argued that congressional approval was required for such a change.

Several performers canceled appearances, and the executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra later departed for another position.

The latest court order now forces the institution to return to its historic name while broader questions about its governance and future direction remain unresolved.