In a 94-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said the Kennedy Center board exceeded its authority when it rebranded the venue as the “Trump Kennedy Center.” Cooper wrote, “The Kennedy Center’s organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy…Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.” The ruling follows Trump’s 2025 takeover of the institution after criticizing drag performances and alleged “anti-American propaganda.” The court also blocked plans to close the Kennedy Center for two years during renovations, calling the board’s process improper and legally flawed.
