Workers began removing the name of former U.S. President Donald Trump from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, following a court ruling. The removal was ordered after a legal challenge to the naming, which had been implemented during Trump's presidency.
According to verified reports, scaffolding was erected in front of the iconic building, and workers were seen taking down letters spelling out Trump's name. The Kennedy Center, a national cultural venue, had been renamed in 2020, but a federal court ruled on June 12 that the naming violated procedural requirements.
The court decision stated that the renaming process lacked proper public input and did not follow standard protocols for such changes. The Kennedy Center's board of trustees has not yet commented on future naming plans, but the building is expected to revert to its original name.
Local officials and arts advocates welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the center's nonpartisan legacy. The removal is expected to be completed within days.
