Trump Name Returning to Kennedy Center Isn't Renaming, DOJ Argues in Court

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and attorneys representing the Kennedy Center insisted Thursday that the Washington, D.C., performing arts center will not be renamed after President Donald Trump, despite plans to add his name back onto the building. Lutnick attended an emergency hearing about the president's efforts to make changes to the building, opened in memory of President John F. Kennedy, and told reporters the building was at risk of being pulled down if a two-year closure for refurbishment was not allowed to proceed. The judge reportedly cut off those arguments about the need for refurbishment, asking why the current leadership had appeared to violate his prior order to take Trump's name off the building. "So, the president has said, 'I'm interested in saving this institution.' The fact that he's interested in it is great," Lutnick said outside court, adding that the center's board had voted to approve renovations aided by Trump. "They want to acknowledge him, the way all these institutions do...This is the board classically capturing the greatest fundraiser and greatest builder ever, by putting his name on it." Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice and the plaintiff's attorney for comment.

## How the Kennedy Center Fight Reached Court

The latest court fight stems from Trump's long-running effort to reshape the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts since returning to office in January 2025.

After replacing members of the traditionally bipartisan board with allies, Trump's appointees moved to exert greater control over the institution's operations, programming and future direction. The changes sparked resistance from artists, cultural figures and some board members, while setting off a legal battle over whether the administration could alter a federally designated memorial created to honor Kennedy.

The dispute intensified when the board voted to place Trump's name on the building and later approved plans to close much of the center for a major renovation project.

Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, an ex officio board member, sued, arguing the board lacked authority to change the name of a national memorial that Congress established in Kennedy's honor. A federal judge ultimately agreed, ruling that only Congress can rename the institution.

## The Judge's Earlier Ruling

In May, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered Trump's name removed from the Kennedy Center's facade after finding that the board's earlier attempt to rename the venue violated federal law. Cooper wrote that the Kennedy Center's governing statute made clear that it was to be a memorial to President Kennedy and that Congress, not the board of trustees, controlled its official name.

The judge also rejected an earlier effort to close the center for two years while renovations were carried out, describing the board's actions as inadequately justified.

Following the ruling, crews removed Trump's name from the building in June, although large tarps remained on the facade for days afterward, sparking additional controversy and court scrutiny over whether officials were complying with the order.

## A New Naming Strategy

Rather than abandon the effort, Trump's allies on the board approved a revised proposal in August designed to keep Kennedy's name on the building while still associating Trump with the landmark.

The board voted to add language describing the venue as the "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump" and to rename the grounds surrounding the complex "President Donald J. Trump Plaza."

Administration lawyers argue those changes do not constitute a formal renaming because the institution's official name would remain the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. That contention is now at the center of the latest hearing, where government attorneys and Lutnick have defended the board's actions as consistent with the court's earlier order.

Opponents, including Beatty, say the move is an attempt to accomplish indirectly what the court already barred directly.

In court Thursday, attorneys argued that naming the surrounding plaza after the current president effectively named the entire complex after him.

Lutnick was asked why adding Trump's name could not wait until work was completed, as was common on other building projects.

"It's not usually how it works," Lutnick said. "The idea, when you have the greatest philanthropist, the guy who's going to raise you $500 million, you just need him to agree.

"Whatever the terms are, since you know he is the most credible person in the world, when he says he's going to raise the money...you need to induce him, entice him."

## Renovations, Donations and Trump's Name

The naming dispute has become closely tied to the administration's plans for a sweeping renovation of the aging complex. In recent court filings, Justice Department attorneys argued that the Kennedy Center faces severe financial and structural challenges and needs significant reconstruction work to survive.

They claimed donor support for the project is tied to recognizing Trump for the renovation effort and warned that blocking the proposed inscriptions could jeopardize funding.

Government lawyers have even argued that the center could eventually face demolition if major repairs are not undertaken, describing the building as deteriorating and financially troubled.

Outside the court Thursday, Lutnick said that if the building was not properly taken care of, and because Congress was not good at acting on issues like this, Trump's decision to step in was unusual but necessary.

"What do you want the guy to do?" Lutnick said, warning that if Trump stepped away with the project unfinished, the center would fall into disrepair.

Critics have characterized that argument as an attempt to pressure the court into allowing the new Trump-related signage.

## What Happens Next

The judge was yet to issue a decision on the matter Thursday night.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Sam Wilson.