Trump's name removed from Kennedy Center after court ruling

Workers began the symbolic removal of Donald Trump's name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. early Saturday morning, following a court decision that restricted the authority to rename the building solely to the U.S. Congress. The process, which started Friday afternoon, saw scaffolding erected against the building's facade to reach the letters spelling out Trump's name, positioned above John F. Kennedy's.

The removal operation, observed by hundreds of onlookers and broadcast via live stream, concluded around 3 a.m. Saturday. This event represents a setback for Donald Trump, who had gained control over the cultural institution over the past year. In February 2025, he appointed a loyal board, which subsequently selected him as chairman. The decision to add his name to the building was made in December of the same year.

“

The Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only the Congress can change it.

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts was named in 1964, two months after President Kennedy's assassination, by a U.S. Congressional act intended to create a living monument. The addition of Trump's name sparked considerable protest, notably from members of the Kennedy family. Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, publicly criticized the decision as "beyond comprehension."

The matter escalated to court, where critics ultimately prevailed. A federal judge ruled that "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it." The Justice Department's attempts to overturn this decision were denied on Friday as the deadline expired. Despite initial delays, partly attributed to a brief thunderstorm, workers proceeded with the removal after the court's final decision.

“

beyond comprehension.