Kennedy Center Removes 'trump' Branding Amid Twain Award Buzz

WHO:

AP News - Bill Maher will receive the Mark Twain Award for American Humor.

AP News - Guest speakers include John Mellencamp, Jay Leno, Whitney Cummings, Louis C.K., and Stephen A. Smith.

AP News - U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on the legality of the naming of the Kennedy Center.

WHAT:

AP News - The Kennedy Center has removed the "Trump" branding from its name.

AP News - The Kennedy Center's email to members offered packages ranging from $99 to $1,500 for the Twain Award ceremony.

AP News - The Kennedy Center is now identified simply as the Kennedy Center, not the "Trump Kennedy Center."

AP News - The Twain Award ceremony will take place on June 28.

WHERE:

AP News - The event will be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

AP News - The Mark Twain Award ceremony is scheduled for June 28.

WHY:

AP News - A federal judge ruled that the addition of Trump's name to the Kennedy Center was illegal, stating that only Congress can change the center's name.

AP News - The Kennedy Center's decision to remove Trump's name follows a ruling that emphasized the center's original naming by Congress.

HOW:

AP News - The Kennedy Center received an email from its general counsel outlining steps for cooperation, including the removal of Trump's name.

(UPDATED June 9, 2026 11:57 UTC)

Bill Maher is set to receive the prestigious Mark Twain Award for American Humor, with guest speakers including John Mellencamp, Jay Leno, Whitney Cummings, Louis C.K., and Stephen A. Smith. In a recent ruling, a federal judge determined that the addition of Trump's name to the Kennedy Center was illegal, leading to the center's decision to remove the "Trump" branding and revert to its original name. The Twain Award ceremony will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on June 28, with ticket packages available ranging from $99 to $1,500.