Trump vows to walk away from Kennedy Center restoration after judge orders his name be removed
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, May 29, said he will withdraw from the Kennedy Center overhaul after a federal judge ordered the removal of his name from the institution. The ruling also blocked the administration’s plan to temporarily close the venue for large-scale renovations and official materials within two weeks.
Trump argued the decision undermines efforts to restore the institution and raised concerns about safety and structural conditions at the site. The Kennedy Center said it will appeal, defending both the governance changes and planned restoration work.
Court restores original name, orders removal of Trump's name from building
US District Judge Christopher Cooper, a Barack Obama-era appointee, ruled that the Kennedy Center cannot be renamed without congressional approval, citing its founding statute.
The decision requires all references to Trump’s name to be removed from physical signage, digital platforms, and official materials within 14 days. It also halts aspects of the administration’s plan to close the venue temporarily for extensive renovations.
In his opinion, Cooper wrote, “The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so.” He added, “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.”
Trump says he has 'no interest' in Kennedy Center overhaul unless given full authority
Following the ruling, Trump criticized the decision in a lengthy statement on Truth Social, describing the judge as politically motivated and defending the renovation plans. He wrote, “Shockingly, a Judge appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, Christopher Cooper, ruled that The Kennedy Center… is not allowed to close for these renovations.”
The Republican leader defended the project as necessary, arguing the institution has suffered from “years of neglect, decay, and poor maintenance,” and said major structural issues make extensive renovation essential. Trump claimed the building contains serious safety risks, including “rotting beams” and other hazards, and insisted that closing the venue is required to complete the work properly.
Trump also said he would only remain involved if he is given full authority to proceed, adding, “Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else… I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into ‘NEVER NEVER LAND.’”
He further directed the Department of Commerce to work with Congress on a possible transfer of control of the institution if the dispute continues.
Artists' backlash followed the renaming as many pulled out of performances
Long before the court ruling, the center faced cultural fallout following the board’s earlier decision to rename the institution to include Trump’s name, a move that triggered a wave of cancellations and public criticism from several artists.
The Cookers, Doug Varone and Dancers, Kristy Lee, and others withdrew from planned shows, citing concerns with renaming and its implications for the institution’s identity. A long-running annual Christmas Eve performance by Chuck Redd was also canceled, and Lin-Manuel Miranda canceled a planned production of ‘Hamilton.’
