Tuesday, June 9, 2026- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has officially dropped President Donald Trump’s name from its website and official branding following a federal court ruling that the renaming was unlawful.
The change was reflected on the center’s homepage and in communications announcing guest speakers for the upcoming Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony on June 28, marking a visible rollback of the controversial “Trump Kennedy Center” identity first imposed last year.
The action comes after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the center’s board had acted beyond its authority when it voted to add Trump’s name, since the venue’s name created by Congress as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.
In response, staff were directed to remove Trump’s name from email signatures, letterhead, brochures, websites and promotional materials by June 12 to comply with the judge’s order.
While the website and digital branding no longer include Trump’s name, the iconic building’s exterior still displays “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” as the venue works toward full compliance with the court deadline.
Center officials say they are following the legal order while exploring options to “recognize President Trump’s leadership,” even as artists and patrons had widely criticized the original renaming decision.
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