politics
Judge's Order Prompts Removal of Trump's Name From Kennedy Center Facade
Scaffolding and a tarp blocked public view of the change for nearly ten days. A federal judge had ruled last month that only Congress can alter the building's name.
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President Donald Trump's name was removed from the Kennedy Center facade in Washington on June 13. Scaffolding and a tarp were erected the same day, blocking public view of the facade. The tarp remained in place for nearly ten days.
Images show bare marble where the name had been affixed. The signage had been changed in December 2025 to read “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. ” That change followed a vote by the center's board.
A federal judge ruled last month that the Kennedy Center board lacked authority to add President Trump's name. The ruling stated that only Congress can change the building's name. Congress named the building the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1964.
Kennedy Center executive director Matt Floca submitted a sworn court declaration stating that President Trump's name is no longer affixed to the building. A Kennedy Center official told the court on June 13 that all references to President Trump had been removed from the building and online.
Mallory Miller, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, provided photos showing the removal. Miller stated that the tarp's continued presence appears intentional.
