Kennedy Center board votes to inscribe Trump's name despite court order

Published Aug 13, 05:46 PM UTC

The Kennedy Center's board, largely appointed by President Donald Trump, voted on August 13, 2026, to add an inscription reading 'Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump' below the venue's main sign. This move appears to test a federal judge's order requiring the removal of Trump's name from the facade, which was added last year in violation of a law reserving naming authority to Congress. The board also voted to close the main building for renovations, allocating $48 million for theater restorations and upgrades. Tarps and scaffolding have covered the sign since June 13, when workers complied with a court deadline to remove Trump's name. The tarps have drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Joyce Beatty, who filed the original lawsuit. A federal judge has set an August 18 deadline for the board to report on construction plans and the status of the tarps.