Federal Appeals Court Rejects Trump's Attempt to Keep Name on Kennedy Center: Legal Battle Continues
A recent ruling from a federal appeals court has rejected President Donald Trump's attempt to keep his name on the Kennedy Center. The court denied his request to pause a lower court order that deemed his name on the building illegal. Trump had two weeks to remove his name, which he did. The legal battle began in December 2025 when Trump appointed his own board members to the Kennedy Center and renamed it "The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
The D.C. Circuit panel denied Trump's motion for a stay pending appeal, stating that he failed to demonstrate irreparable harm without the stay. The Kennedy Center was originally named for President John F. Kennedy by federal law in 1964, and only an act of Congress can change it. Trump's actions led to a 50% drop in ticket sales, despite his claims of increased donations.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, a board member who was silenced during the renaming vote, filed a lawsuit against Trump. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled against Trump in May, and he lost an emergency stay request in June. The court's decision not to grant a stay was based on the lack of evidence of harm to Trump without it, without considering the likelihood of success in the underlying appeal.
In conclusion, the legal battle over the Kennedy Center's name continues as Trump faces another setback in his efforts to keep his name on the building. The court's decision highlights the importance of following federal laws and procedures in naming public institutions.