Trending Now - Lawmaker Pushes to Remove Trump’s Name From Kennedy Center

WHO:

Rep. Joyce Beatty, Democratic lawmaker from Ohio, is an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center's board.

Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, stated in a press release.

Francesca Zambello, artistic director of the Washington National Opera

Philip Glass, composer and Kennedy Center Honors award recipient

Stephen Schwartz, Broadway composer and lyricist

Béla Fleck, 18-time Grammy-winning banjo master

Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary

Rep. Joyce Beatty, Democratic lawmaker from Ohio

President Donald Trump

Kennedy Center board of directors

Eight cultural and historic preservation groups

WHAT:

Beatty's motion argues that renaming the Kennedy Center for President Trump "undermines the Center’s raison d’être, and frustrates its purpose as the only memorial to President Kennedy in Washington, D.C."

The Kennedy Center's board added Trump's name to the facade and updated the website and social media channels immediately after the December 2025 decision.

A coalition of eight architecture and cultural groups filed a lawsuit against Trump and the Kennedy Center board over the scheduled closing for renovations.

The Washington National Opera severed its ties with the Kennedy Center in January 2026 after ticket sales dropped significantly.

Many prominent artists, including Philip Glass, Stephen Schwartz, and Béla Fleck, withdrew planned performances at the Kennedy Center following the name change announcement.

A coalition of eight architecture and cultural groups filed a lawsuit against Trump and the Kennedy Center board over the scheduled closing for renovations, seeking compliance with historic preservation laws.

Beatty's motion argues that the board's decision to rename the Kennedy Center violates governing statutes and fiduciary obligations.

Beatty stated, "Donald Trump's attempt to rename the Kennedy Center after himself is not just an act of ego. It is an attempt to subvert our Constitution and the rule of law."

The Washington National Opera severed its ties with the Kennedy Center in January 2026 after ticket sales dropped significantly.

Rep. Joyce Beatty filed a motion asking a federal judge to block and reverse efforts to attach President Trump's name to the Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center's board voted in December 2025 to rename the venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center.

Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center's facade and reflected on its website and social media channels.

The Kennedy Center is scheduled to close on July 7, 2026, for renovations expected to last about two years.

Beatty is also seeking a court order to block the planned closure of the Kennedy Center.

WHERE:

Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.

Potomac River, where the Kennedy Center is located

WHEN:

Beatty's motion was filed on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026.

The Kennedy Center is scheduled to close on July 7, 2026.

Motion filed on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026

Board's decision to rename the venue occurred in December 2025

Closure of the Kennedy Center scheduled for July 7, 2026

Renovation expected to last for about two years

WHY:

Beatty claims that Congress was particularly sensitive that no other names appear on the Center's exterior walls, other than the signage designating the institution as a memorial for President Kennedy.

Beatty stated, "Donald Trump's attempt to rename the Kennedy Center after himself is not just an act of ego. It is an attempt to subvert our Constitution and the rule of law."

Francesca Zambello stated, "We did try as best as we could to encourage [the patrons] that we are a bipartisan organization, but people really voted with their feet and with their pocketbooks."

Beatty claims that Congress established the Kennedy Center by law, and only Congress can change its name.

Beatty argues that Congress intended for the Kennedy Center to be named solely for President John F. Kennedy and that renaming it undermines its purpose.

The board claims the name change is recognition for Trump's efforts to renovate the institution.

HOW:

Beatty's attorneys wrote in the motion, "Can the Board of the Kennedy Center — in direct contradiction of the governing statutes — rename this sacred memorial to John F. Kennedy after President Donald J. Trump? The answer is, unequivocally, 'no.'"

Beatty's motion argues that the board's decision to rename the Kennedy Center violates governing statutes and fiduciary obligations, stating, "Can the Board of the Kennedy Center — in direct contradiction of the governing statutes — rename this sacred memorial to John F. Kennedy after President Donald J. Trump? The answer is, unequivocally, 'no.'"

Beatty's motion contends that only Congress can authorize a name change for the Kennedy Center.

A federal judge ruled earlier in March 2026 that Beatty could participate in a board meeting but did not allow her to vote on the closure.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:09 UTC)

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democratic lawmaker from Ohio, filed a motion arguing that renaming the Kennedy Center for President Trump undermines its purpose as a memorial to President Kennedy. The Kennedy Center's board had added Trump's name to the facade following a December 2025 decision, which has led to a lawsuit from a coalition of eight architecture and cultural groups over the planned renovations set to begin on July 7, 2026. Beatty's motion emphasizes that Congress intended for no other names to appear on the Center's exterior, stating that Trump's actions represent an attempt to subvert the Constitution and the rule of law.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 21:08 UTC)

The Washington National Opera has severed its ties with the Kennedy Center after ticket sales dropped significantly, prompting many prominent artists like Philip Glass, Stephen Schwartz, and Béla Fleck to withdraw their planned performances. Francesca Zambello, the opera's artistic director, noted that despite efforts to present the organization as bipartisan, patrons ultimately chose to vote with their feet and pocketbooks. Meanwhile, a coalition of eight architecture and cultural groups has filed a lawsuit against Trump and the Kennedy Center board, arguing that the decision to rename the center violates governing statutes and fiduciary obligations.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 19:22 UTC)

A coalition of eight architecture and cultural groups has filed a lawsuit against Trump and the Kennedy Center board, challenging the scheduled closing for renovations and seeking compliance with historic preservation laws. The lawsuit comes as Beatty argues that the board's decision to rename the Kennedy Center violates governing statutes and fiduciary obligations, stating that only Congress has the authority to change its name. This follows the Washington National Opera severing its ties with the Kennedy Center in January after a significant drop in ticket sales.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 09:18 UTC)

Rep. Joyce Beatty filed a motion on Wednesday to block efforts to attach President Trump's name to the Kennedy Center, arguing that Congress intended for the venue to honor President John F. Kennedy exclusively. The Kennedy Center's board voted in December to rename the venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center, and Trump's name has already been added to its facade and online presence, despite the center's scheduled closure for renovations on July 7, 2026. Beatty is also seeking a court order to prevent the closure, asserting that only Congress has the authority to authorize such a name change.