The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has started deleting references to former President Donald Trump after a federal judge declared the name addition illegal . The center’s vice president of public relations said the institution will comply with the order while exploring legal avenues to protect its planned revitalization.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Name Addition to Kennedy Center

On June 4, 2026, a U.S . district judge ruled that the inclusion of Donald Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center was unlawful, effectively nullifying the branding change made during his second term. The decision also barred the administration from closing the venue for a major renovation, a move the judge deemed beyond the president’s authority.

Kennedy Center Begins Stripping Trump References from Email Signatures and Letterhead

In a memo to staff, the center’s lawyers instructed employees to revert all communications to "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" or simply "Kennedy Center." The directive covers email signatures, letterhead, promotional flyers and any digital or printed material that previously bore the Trump name. "We are complying with the court’s order while evaluating all legal options," the vice president of public relations said in a statement, according to the source.

Renovation Plans Stalled After Trump Walks Back Overhaul

Trump had announced a sweeping renovation slated to begin in July, which would have temporarily shut the venue for extensive upgrades. After the judge’s injunction, the former president announced he was stepping back from the project and arranging for congressional oversight of the center. The cancellation leaves the $30 million revitalization in limbo, raising questions about funding and timeline.

Legal Options Under Review as Center Seeks to Preserve Revitalization

The Kennedy Center’s legal team is now assessing whether to appeal the ruling or pursue a settlement that might allow the renovation to proceed under new governance. While the court order mandates the removal of Trump’s name, the institution hopes to retain the "revitalization" plan that was championed during the brief Trump involvement. As the source notes, the center’s lawyers will continue to evaluate all legal options to preserve this effort.

Will Congress Assume Control of the Kennedy Center?

One unresolved issue is whether Congress will formally take over management of the Kennedy Center, as Trump suggested in his retreat from the project. No official statement from congressional leaders has been released, leaving the future governance structure uncertain.