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A US federal judge ruled Tuesday that the Kennedy Centre board cannot add President Donald Trump’s name back onto the building’s exterior.
District Judge Christopher Cooper rebuked the board’s attempt to circumvent a previous court order, writing that officials cannot install memorials for Trump or anyone else without explicit congressional approval.
Workers removed “Trump-Kennedy Centre” signage in June following an earlier ruling, but the board recently attempted to install new lettering crediting Trump with restoring the facility.
The legal setback comes as the Trump-stacked board prepares to vote on an emergency, years-long shutdown of the cultural institution.
Trump and board leaders argue that the 1960s-era main building poses severe safety risks, citing a recent storm-induced ceiling collapse.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump asserted that closing the venue is necessary to save lives and argued that only he possesses the construction background and fundraising capacity to rebuild the facility.
The administration previously warned in court filings that it might demolish the centre if legal challenges block its renovation plans.
Since Trump appointed himself chairman early in his second term, the venue has faced significant public backlash.
Prominent artists have cancelled scheduled performances, while ticket sales have dropped to their lowest levels since the COVID-19 pandemic.
