On Saturday, June 13, 2026, workers dismantled letters of President Donald Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. This action followed a court-ordered deadline set for Friday. Less than six months earlier, Trump’s name was added to the center, repositioning it as ‘The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.’
A judge had ruled that the center’s renaming required Congressional approval. Despite weather-related delays, Kennedy Center’s Executive Director and COO, Charles Matthew Floca, confirmed the removal of the bronze letters. References to Trump have also been scrubbed from the center’s website.
During Trump’s second term, he dismissed the Kennedy Center’s president, board chair, and board members. He appointed new trustees who named him chairman, resulting in his name being affixed to the building.
“Without the name, ‘Trump,’ our fundraising will not only come to a halt,” the administration argued, “but any and all monies raised or committed would be obligated to be returned, refunded, or terminated.”
An appeal to delay the removal was denied by an appeals court on Friday night. Workers set up scaffolding around Trump’s name and covered it with tarpaulin. Protests continued through the night, with critics heckling the tarpaulin’s use as an attempt to conceal the removal.
Among those present was Krystal Brewer, an advocate for social justice, emphasizing the importance of adhering to judicial decisions. “It’s about just not being able to do something because you think you’re the most powerful,” Brewer commented, advocating for checks and balances.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, who initiated the lawsuit, observed the removal and posted online, “No more stalling. It’s time for Trump to obey the law.” She was supported by onlookers, including Mary Foltz, a nurse who interpreted the concealed removal as indicative of transparency issues within the Trump administration.
This move comes amid other controversial actions by Trump, such as the East Wing demolition of the White House and the installation of large banners bearing his likeness on federal buildings.
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