Last month, President Donald Trump’s name was removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ facade and signage following an order by US District Judge Christopher Cooper, who also blocked Trump’s plans to close the center for renovations.
On July 9, 2026, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied the Trump administration’s request to pause the lower court’s order. The lawsuit was brought by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, a Kennedy Center board member.
The appeals court ruling means Trump’s name must remain off the Kennedy Center during the ongoing appeal process against the earlier ruling that found the name change illegal.
In response, Beatty stated, “Today’s ruling again affirms that this administration’s efforts to rename the Kennedy Center were unlawful.”
Additional context includes recent approvals of Trump-related designs and features, such as a massive arch in Washington, DC, and plans for Trump’s image on US currency and limited-edition passports, though these are unrelated to the Kennedy Center case.
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