“You’re No JFK”: Washington Arts Center Removes Trump Name After Court Ruling
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has removed the name of former U.S. President Donald Trump from its façade following a federal court order, ending a controversial and highly politicized renaming effort that triggered legal and public backlash.
Workers began dismantling the signage early Saturday after the institution was directed to restore its original federally designated title, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The court ruled that only the U.S. Congress has the authority to rename the landmark, invalidating the board-backed decision that had added Trump’s name during his administration.
The reversal follows a lawsuit challenging the legality of the renaming process, with the court agreeing that the change violated statutory protections tied to the memorial’s original designation.
As the signage was removed, critics and supporters of the decision gathered outside the building, with some chanting phrases mocking the reversal, including “You’re no JFK,” a pointed reference to the institution’s founding purpose as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy.
The institution had previously been renamed under a board reshuffle that installed Trump allies, sparking backlash from lawmakers, artists, and members of the Kennedy family, who argued the move undermined the center’s nonpartisan cultural identity.
Legal filings confirmed that all references to Trump’s name are being scrubbed from signage, digital platforms, and official materials as the center complies with the court order.
The ruling also blocks associated renovation and branding plans tied to the disputed renaming, further complicating ongoing governance and funding decisions for the institution.
The Kennedy Center, established in 1971 as a national performing arts hub, now returns to its original designation as it navigates renewed debate over political influence in cultural institutions.
