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The Kennedy Center board has voted to put President Donald Trump's name back on the building, two months after a judge ordered its removal. The board members, many of whom are Trump allies, voted to add "Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump" to the formal name. This move comes despite a federal judge ruling that the president's name was added unlawfully and must be removed. The Trump administration had argued that changing the centre's name could create confusion if the decision were later overturned. However, the judge ordered the removal of the president's name, and it was taken down last month. The board also voted to proceed with a two-year closure for proposed renovations, which was earlier blocked by a federal judge. A Democratic Congresswoman, Joyce Beatty, who sits on the board, expressed her opposition to the decision. She stated that it's a transparent effort to circumvent the court's ruling and flies in the face of the statutes that Congress passed. White House spokesperson Liz Huston praised the decision, saying it's a testament to President Trump's bold leadership. The case stems from a broader legal dispute over the renaming of the cultural institution, which US law designates as a memorial to President John F Kennedy. The US president announced the addition of his name to the institution last year, and the dispute has been ongoing since then.
The Kennedy Center’s board met on Tuesday and voted to restore the “Donald J. Trump” plaque on the building’s façade, a move that directly challenges a federal judge’s earlier order to keep the name off the venue. The decision came after a narrow 13‑to‑5 vote, with several board members saying the removal had become a political symbol rather than a cultural one. The judge’s order, issued last month, stemmed from a lawsuit filed by a coalition of arts groups who argued that the plaque violated the center’s non‑partisan mission and federal funding rules. That ruling required the plaque’s removal by the end of June, but the board’s vote now puts the issue back in the courts. Legal experts note that the board’s action doesn’t automatically reinstate the plaque; a new hearing will be needed to determine whether the judge’s injunction still applies. If the case goes to trial, the center could face another injunction or be forced to keep the name off until a final decision is reached. Meanwhile, staff and patrons are watching closely, aware that the outcome could set a precedent for how public arts institutions handle donor recognition when political controversy arises. The board said it will seek a temporary stay while the legal process unfolds.