Trump pledges to withdraw from Kennedy Center after court strikes his name

US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to withdraw as chair of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, following a federal court ruling that prohibits him from having his name on the building’s facade.

In a statement posted online, Trump criticized Judge Christopher Cooper, who ruled against Trump’s bid to add his name to the building and close it for two years. Trump claimed that Judge Cooper was “reckless” and that he would have been able to restore the performing arts center if given the opportunity.

The Kennedy Center, located in Washington, DC, was established as a living memorial to President John F Kennedy in 1964, following his assassination. The site has undergone various changes since its inception, including the addition of Trump’s name to the building’s exterior in December 2025.

However, this move was met with opposition from critics, who argued that it was a violation of the 1964 law and a sign of disrespect towards the late Kennedy. In response, US Representative Joyce Beatty sued to stop the closure of the arts center and sought the removal of Trump’s name.

On Friday, Judge Cooper ruled in favor of Beatty’s requests, ordering Trump’s name to be removed from the building’s facade within 14 days. The judge also overturned a policy that had stripped certain trustees of their right to vote on Kennedy Center matters.

In his decision, Judge Cooper stated that Congress had established the Kennedy Center’s name and that only Congress could change it. He also pointed out that Trump administration officials’ statements about using the performing arts facility before its scheduled closure date undermined the assertion that the building was hazardous.

The ruling has significant implications for the Kennedy Center, which is set to close in July 2025 for renovations. The center’s future remains uncertain, with Trump’s withdrawal as chair and the removal of his name from the building’s facade likely to have a lasting impact on its operations.

Source: Al Jazeera