The Kennedy Center Legal Battle: A Timeline of Challenges

A federal judge has ruled that the Kennedy Center board acted unlawfully by adding President Trump's name to the institution's title and by voting to close the venue for a two-year renovation. The administration has indicated it will appeal.

Renovation and Closure Plans

President Donald Trump announced on February 9, 2025, a proposal to close the Kennedy Center for two years beginning July 2025 for construction and renovation. Trump stated on Truth Social that the decision was based on "Highly Respected Experts" and aimed to transform a "tired, broken, and dilapidated" center into a "World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment." He estimated the cost at approximately $200 million. Congress later approved $257 million for capital repairs.

Richard Grenell, appointed by Trump as president of the Kennedy Center, supported the plan, describing it as a "brief closure" for comprehensive renovations. Grenell departed in mid-2025, and Matt Floca, the center's vice president of operations, was promoted to chief operating officer and executive director.

The Kennedy Center's board of trustees, appointed by President Trump, voted unanimously on March 16, 2026, to close the institution for two years to facilitate renovations. Trump stated that new seating and marble had already been purchased and noted that the board's formal approval was a "minor detail" as the announcement had already been made.

An internal memo from the Kennedy Center dated February 2 detailed specific renovation plans, including:

• Replacing seating in the Concert Hall
• Installing marble armrests
• Changing the color scheme of the Grand Foyer, Hall of States, and Hall of Nations from red to black with a gold pattern
• Upgrading HVAC, safety, and electrical systems

According to the memo, some carpeting, furnishings, and electrical outlets in public spaces had been redone two years prior.

Legal Challenges

Name Change

In December 2025, the board voted to rename the institution "The Trump-Kennedy Center" — or "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." Trump's name was added to the building's façade the following day. The center's website, publicity materials, and exterior signage were updated.

Representative Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex-officio board member, filed a federal lawsuit seeking to compel the board to revert the name. Beatty argued that Congress designated the center as the "sole national memorial" to President John F. Kennedy by statute in 1964 and that only Congress could change its name.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper issued a ruling on Friday, March 21, 2025, that the board's addition of Trump's name was unlawful. Cooper wrote:

"Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it... The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name."

He ordered the removal of Trump's name from all physical signage, digital materials, and official communications within 14 days.

Closure Plans

Judge Cooper also blocked the board's March 16 vote to close the center for two years of renovations. He characterized the board's decision as "ill-informed and seemingly preordained," stating that board members had insufficient information to make a well-considered decision and had neglected their statutory obligations.

Cooper's ruling noted that the board "bears an affirmative duty to carry out the Center's programming and maintain a memorial to President Kennedy." However, he stated that his order does not categorically bar the board from closing the center if it independently balances its obligations and makes a new, considered decision.

Voting Rights

The judge also ruled that the board overstepped by stripping Representative Beatty of her voting rights at the March meeting. Beatty had filed a separate lawsuit to prevent her exclusion. Judge Cooper had earlier ruled that Beatty could attend the meeting but did not require that she be allowed to vote, stating that her ability to participate in deliberations and voice objections would mitigate the impact. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), another ex-officio member, declined to attend, calling it a "sham."

Appeals and Compliance

The Kennedy Center board filed a notice of appeal and a request for a stay of Judge Cooper's order. Cooper denied the stay, stating that the defendants did not demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits and that a stay would not be in the public interest. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an emergency appeal seeking to pause the removal of Trump's name.

Following the court order, workers erected scaffolding around the section bearing Trump's name. Removal of the signage occurred overnight on June 12. As of Monday morning, a large tarp remained covering the area, preventing public confirmation.

The Kennedy Center's general counsel issued a memo on June 4 directing staff to change email signatures, letterhead, and other documents immediately. Interior and exterior signage and furniture were to be updated by June 12. The center has removed Trump's name from its website.

On Saturday, Kennedy Center lawyers filed a court document stating that after July 5, the venue will maintain an operational model with public spaces accessible but stages largely inactive, as it considers renovation options. The board is expected to vote in mid-July on three options:

• Full closure with no public programming
• Partial closure with some public access and limited programming
• Phased closures addressing the most serious infrastructure needs while maintaining a full programming schedule

Statements from Principals

President Trump posted on Truth Social criticizing Judge Cooper as an "anti Trump Hater" and accusing him of having a conflict of interest, referencing the judge's wife, Amy Jeffress, a Washington attorney who worked in the Obama administration's Justice Department. Trump stated that judges issuing rulings on his tariff policy indicate the court system is "RIGGED." He also stated that he has "no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into 'NEVER NEVER LAND'" and that he is working with Congress to transfer the institution back to them.

White House spokesperson Liz Huston stated: "President Trump is committed to making the Trump-Kennedy Center the finest performing arts facility in the world. We look forward to ultimate victory on the issue."

Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi expressed confidence in an appeal, stating that the institution is committed to pursuing lawful avenues for the "Trump Kennedy Center" and that the board will uphold its decision.

Representative Beatty stated: "Today's ruling rightly affirms that this administration's efforts to rename and close the Center have no basis in law." She said the Kennedy Center "belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump."

Justice Department lawyers argued that the renovation plans were within the board's authority. A spokesperson said the department is pleased that renovation challenges were rejected and will continue to defend Trump's ability to restore the center.

Impact on Operations and Programming

Since President Trump's increased involvement, the institution has experienced a decline in attendance and numerous artists have canceled performances:

• The Washington National Opera announced its departure in January after over 40 years
• The opera sued the Kennedy Center for $17 million, claiming withheld donor gifts and endowment funds
• Composer Philip Glass withdrew his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln"
• Artists Issa Rae, Rhiannon Giddens, Peter Wolf, and Low Cut Connie canceled performances
• Television producer Shonda Rhimes resigned from the board in February
• Renée Fleming and Ben Folds stepped down as artistic advisers
• The production "Hamilton" canceled performances
• Jean Davidson, executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, departed

An analysis for the Washington Post indicated a significant decline in ticket sales, with 43% of tickets for typical productions unsold between September 3 and October 19. The center's calendar currently lists only outdoor free movie screenings and children's workshops, compared to its historical presentation of over 2,000 arts and education events per year. Most programming staff have departed.

The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971, occupies 1.5 million square feet and is congressionally chartered and federally owned but operates as a private nonprofit. It was established as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.

Related Developments

A coalition of eight architecture and cultural organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, filed a separate lawsuit seeking compliance with historic preservation laws and congressional approval before renovations proceed. Judge Cooper rejected this challenge, stating that the center's board may pursue necessary capital repairs.

Judge Cooper also ordered the Kennedy Center to file a status report on its operation and programming within seven days of its July board meeting or by July 31, whichever is earlier, and to explain the purpose and status of the tarp and scaffolding placed over the center's front signage.

The Kennedy Center board passed a resolution recognizing Trump's commitment to the institution and voted to establish an endowment fund called the "Trump Kennedy Center Fund." The center maintains that this fund does not violate the court order.

President Trump's renovation plan is part of a broader effort to reshape Washington's monumental core, including a proposed 76-meter-tall arch and an 8,360-square-meter ballroom at the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House. A federal appeals court has allowed the ballroom construction to proceed while considering the case.