Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center after court ruling

Workers have begun the process of removing Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The removal followed a judge's rejection of an emergency motion filed by the center's board, which attempted to stop the process. This action stems from a May federal court ruling that declared the renaming illegal, stating that only the U.S. Congress had the authority to alter the cultural institution's name. The court mandated that Trump's name be removed by Friday. Crowds gathered outside the building to watch as construction workers erected scaffolding and began dismantling the letters with tools. The spectacle was broadcast live on YouTube. Trump's name had already been removed from the Kennedy Center's website. The renaming and personnel changes at the Kennedy Center were viewed by many Americans as an affront to U.S. culture. Shortly after taking office in January 2025, Trump replaced the center's leadership with a board of his choosing, which subsequently appointed him chairman. The board's decision to rename the institution the Trump Kennedy Center and affix the president's name to the facade led to significant backlash. Numerous artists canceled performances, and other advisors and officials resigned in protest. The Kennedy Center, opened in 1971 and named after former President John F. Kennedy, is one of the nation's most prestigious cultural institutions, traditionally showcasing all genres of theater, dance, and music.