US judge orders removal of Trump's name from Kennedy Center

Judge rules that Washington DC performing arts venue cannot be renamed without an act of Congress

US judge orders removal of Trump's name from Kennedy Center

TL;DR

  • US district judge Christopher Cooper ordered the removal of Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center.
  • The judge ruled that only an act of Congress can change the Kennedy Center's name.
  • Physical signage and official materials must remove Trump's name within 14 days.
  • The judge also temporarily blocked the center's proposed summer closure for renovations.
  • The lawsuit was initiated by Ohio Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty.
  • Trump had appointed himself chair of the board and purged members with his own appointees.
  • Artists and performing groups had canceled bookings in protest of the name change.
  • Trump has other controversial construction plans in Washington DC, including a "Victory arch" and a ballroom.