The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has begun removing references to President Donald Trump from its official materials following a Federal court ruling that found the institution’s board lacks the authority to rename the iconic cultural centre after him.
An internal memo issued by the Kennedy Center’s legal department directed staff to eliminate all references to the “Trump Kennedy Center” and similar variations from email signatures, letterheads, websites, brochures, promotional materials, press releases, contracts and signage.
The directive also ordered employees to restore the institution’s official name as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The action follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who held that the board exceeded its statutory authority when it voted in December 2025 to add Trump’s name to the centre. The judge ordered the removal of all references to the renaming within 14 days, stating that only Congress has the power to change the institution’s name.
According to the memo, various departments have been assigned specific responsibilities to ensure compliance with the court order. Development, campus planning and archives units were instructed to immediately revise templates, agreements, forms and policies, while facilities and marketing departments were given until June 12 to complete updates to all physical and digital signage.
The memo represents the clearest indication yet that the Kennedy Center intends to comply with the court’s directive despite earlier efforts by a Trump-aligned board to rebrand the institution under the president’s leadership.
The legal guidance also addressed a separate ruling concerning plans to close the centre during a major renovation project. While Judge Cooper issued a preliminary injunction blocking the board’s decision to shut down the facility, he did not order the centre to remain open or require specific programming to continue during the renovation period. Kennedy Center officials said they are reviewing their options and will provide further guidance on the matter.
The dispute over the Kennedy Center’s name has become a focal point in broader debates about political influence over American cultural institutions.
The court’s decision effectively restores the centre’s longstanding identity as a national memorial dedicated to former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.