Federal Appeals Court Upholds Removal of Trump's Name from Kennedy Center Facade

A federal appeals court in Washington has affirmed the decision to keep Donald Trump's name off the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts facade. The ruling came Wednesday when a three-judge panel rejected an emergency stay motion filed by the Justice Department. The motion sought to temporarily restore the name during the ongoing legal battle.

The government argued that removing Trump's name would harm the center's fundraising efforts and worsen its financial deficit. However, the appellate judges dismissed this argument. This marks the second consecutive defeat for the former president in this specific court.

The Kennedy Center initially removed Trump's name on June 12, 2026, following a May 29 ruling by a lower court. That judge determined the center's board, largely composed of Trump allies, lacked the legal authority to unilaterally change the venue's identity. The original ruling emphasized that federal law mandates the center bear only the name of President John F. Kennedy, with only Congress empowered to authorize any official changes.