The Kennedy Center established a new endowment in President Trump’s name on Thursday, days after workers removed his name from the building’s facade under a federal court order. The Trump Kennedy Center Fund was created by the center’s board of trustees, which voted unanimously to recognize Trump’s contributions while remaining in compliance with the court’s directive.
The board’s action came as Trump’s name was being physically removed from the performing arts center. Workers began taking down the signage early Saturday morning, hours after a U.S. District Court judge rejected the Kennedy Center’s last-minute request to pause the removal. The deadline set by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had been Friday, June 12.
Judge Cooper ruled on May 29 that the Kennedy Center’s board had acted unlawfully in adding Trump’s name to the building. The judge determined that only Congress could authorize such a change to the institution’s official designation. The board had voted to rename the center in December 2025, months after Trump dismissed all existing trustees and installed political allies in February 2025, then elected himself chairman.
According to CBS News, the Trump Kennedy Center Fund is intended to support previously existing private endowments and the center’s $257 million in federal funding. A Kennedy Center official told CBS that the endowment will focus on the “physical disrepair” of the building, addressing what the current board sees as long-neglected capital repair work.
Roma Davari, Vice President of Public Relations at the Kennedy Center, stated: “We remain fully compliant with the court’s directive while we evaluate legal options regarding the Board’s unanimous vote. The establishment of the Trump Kennedy Center Fund is intended to recognize President Donald J. Trump’s significant contributions and dedication to America’s premier cultural center, while furthering our founding mission like never before.”
The administration appealed the removal order Friday, arguing that without Trump’s name on the building, fundraising would halt and previously committed donations would have to be returned. The Justice Department filed a certification that Trump’s name had been removed from the Kennedy Center building, website, and all official materials.
Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex officio Kennedy Center trustee, filed the lawsuit that led to the court order. After the name removal, Beatty said in a statement: “Today’s victory is the beginning of returning the Kennedy Center to the American people. The rule of law prevailed, and that is worth celebrating.”
Trump retained his position as board chairman despite the court ruling. A Kennedy Center official confirmed the center will remain a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
Sources
- CBS News — reported the establishment of the Trump Kennedy Center Fund, the $257 million federal funding figure, and the board’s unanimous vote on Thursday
- The Washington Post — confirmed Trump purged the board in February 2025 and the name removal process on Saturday morning
- U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper ruling (May 29, 2026) — established that the renaming was unlawful and required removal by June 12
- Congresswoman Joyce Beatty’s office — documented the lawsuit and the judge’s determination that only Congress can authorize name changes
