breaking

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Name Addition to Kennedy Center, Halts Renovation Closure

A federal judge has barred the Kennedy Center from being renamed and temporarily blocked a planned two-year closure for renovations. Judge Christopher Cooper ruled Friday that the cultural institution's charter restricts its name to honor President Kennedy exclusively. The Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees voted in December to rename the facility the "Trump Kennedy Center." This vote occurred following trustee appointments earlier in the year. Cooper determined that only Congress retains authority to alter the center's official designation. The lawsuit was filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex officio board member whose voting rights were stripped in May 2025. The ruling prevents the board from unilaterally modifying the institution's name or implementing the extended closure without congressional approval.