Kennedy Center Removes Trump’s Name Amid Court Ruling

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is in the process of taking Donald Trump’s name off its official website and social media platforms. This action comes in response to a federal court order, and staff have been given a deadline to comply with the directives outlined by the center’s general counsel.

As of now, Trump’s name is still visible on its Instagram, Facebook, and X accounts. Meanwhile, the main website and YouTube page have reverted back to the center’s original naming, which had featured Trump’s name prominently for a while. However, the signage on the building still bears his name.

This quick shift in policy follows a legal decision made on May 29. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the center’s board operated outside of legal constraints when deciding to rename the venue as the Trump Kennedy Center. The legal proceedings were initiated by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who felt sidelined during the virtual meeting in which the vote took place. The judge noted that the founding legislation for the center clearly granted Congress the authority to name it, implying that only they could make changes.

The effort to rename the venue drew significant backlash, particularly from the left-leaning arts community and the Kennedy family, who viewed the name change as a desecration of a national landmark.

In light of the court’s ruling, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction on Truth Social, criticizing the judicial system and arguing that the board’s decision was an attempt to rejuvenate a “dying institution.” On the other hand, a spokesperson for the Kennedy Center indicated that they are complying with the court order while also exploring legal avenues to maintain the association with Trump’s leadership.