Federal Judge Rules Trump's Name Illegally Added to Kennedy Center, Orders Removal and Blocks Closure

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the Kennedy Center board acted unlawfully when it added President Trump's name to the institution in March 2026, stating that 'Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.' The judge ordered Trump's name removed from the building's façade, signage, and official materials within two weeks. Cooper also blocked the administration's plans to temporarily close the venue for renovations, finding the board's March 16 vote to close the facility was 'ill-informed and seemingly preordained' with no regard for legal obligations. The ruling represents a significant judicial rebuke of the Trump administration's attempt to rename a federally-chartered cultural institution without congressional authorization. The lawsuit was brought by Kennedy Center employees and patrons challenging the unauthorized renaming.

"Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it." — From Judge Christopher Cooper's written ruling blocking the Trump administration's unauthorized renaming of the Kennedy Center