Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Center after court ruling

Washington: The name of former US President Donald Trump has been removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after a federal court ordered that it be taken down, the venue confirmed in a court filing.

The performing arts institution stated that it has fully complied with the ruling and that Trump’s name no longer appears on the building, official website, or related materials.

The dispute arose after a federal judge found that the addition of Trump’s name to the landmark cultural venue had been carried out unlawfully. The court subsequently ordered its removal by June 12 and rejected a last-minute attempt by the Trump administration to suspend the directive.

Following the ruling, crews were seen erecting scaffolding around the building as preparations began to remove the signage. Work was briefly delayed due to severe weather, but removal efforts resumed shortly afterwards. The final update confirmed that the court order has now been implemented in full.

The legal case is part of a broader dispute concerning the governance and naming rights of the Kennedy Center, which is federally designated as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy. The court earlier ruled that any renaming of the institution requires congressional approval.

Public reaction outside the venue included a small gathering of demonstrators who welcomed the court’s decision. Some attendees expressed support for preserving the institution’s original identity and keeping it free from political influence.

US District Judge Christopher Cooper had earlier ruled in late May that the centre could not be renamed without authorisation from Congress and also blocked separate plans related to its temporary closure during proposed renovation work.

The case continues to draw attention in the United States amid wider debates over cultural institutions, political symbolism and government authority.