Donald Trump lashes out after judge orders removal of his name from the Kennedy Center

29 May 2026, 16:43 | Updated: 29 May 2026, 22:46

President Donald Trump has lashed out after a judge ordered the removal of his name from the Kennedy Center.

US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that Mr Trump's name had been added illegally, and that the Kennedy Center board's 16 March vote to close the facility was "ill-informed and seemingly preordained", with no regard for its legal obligations.

He concluded that the board had "overstepped its statutory bounds" by unilaterally adding Mr Trump's name to the centre, saying that it could only be changed with congressional approval.

Judge Cooper wrote: "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."

The Trump administration has been ordered to take down ​all physical signage bearing Mr Trump's name, and to eliminate any references to a "Trump Kennedy ‌Center" from official materials, within 14 days.

Responding to the ruling in a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump accused the judge and political opponents of preferring to the venue "DIE than have President Trump transform it".

President Trump's plan to renovate the centre is part of a broader push by the Republican leader to reshape Washington's monuments.

He also intends to erect a 250ft (76m) arch, and to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom at the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House.

Those efforts also face court challenges.