Washington, 30 May(HS): A federal court in the United States has ruled that the name of President Donald Trump must be removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, declaring that the renaming of the iconic cultural institution was unlawful and exceeded statutory authority.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper held that the governing board of the Kennedy Center acted beyond its legal powers when it voted to rename the institution after Donald Trump. The court emphasized that only the U.S. Congress has the authority to alter the official name of the venue.

In its ruling, the court stated that the Kennedy Center was established and named by Congress in honor of President John F. Kennedy, and therefore any change to its title must also originate from legislative action. The judge ordered that Trump’s name be removed from the building’s façade and all associated materials within 14 days.

The controversy arose after the center’s board reportedly reshaped with Trump allies during his administration approved the symbolic renaming of the institution as the “Trump Kennedy Center.” Following the decision, Trump’s name was displayed in large gold lettering above the original inscription.

Judge Cooper also issued a temporary injunction blocking an additional proposal backed by Trump to close the center for a two-year renovation period scheduled to begin in July, further curtailing administrative changes initiated under his influence.

Reacting strongly to the verdict, Trump criticized the ruling and the institution, stating that he would reconsider his involvement with what he described as a “failing institution.” In remarks posted on his social media platform Truth Social, he claimed he was prepared to work with Congress to transfer control of the Kennedy Center back to legislative authorities.

Trump also reiterated his broader criticism of the venue, calling it financially and artistically declining, and said he had no interest in continuing what he described as a “hopeless journey.”

The ruling comes amid broader scrutiny of efforts during Trump’s return to office in 2025, during which several federal institutions were renamed or rebranded in his honor, including moves that critics say break with longstanding U.S. political and administrative traditions.

Observers note that the Kennedy Center dispute highlights ongoing legal and political tensions over the limits of executive influence on federally established cultural institutions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar