Joyce Beatty Sues to Block Trump Name at Kennedy Center

Representative Joyce Beatty filed a lawsuit and an emergency request in federal court to block the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from returning Donald Trump's name to its facade. The legal challenge follows an August 13 resolution by the center's board of trustees to rename the front plaza after Trump and add an inscription stating the venue was "Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump."

Additional plans include a further inscription regarding the Trump Kennedy Center Fund if donations reach $100 million. The board also approved a resolution to close the center for two years for renovations, forcing high-profile programs to move off-site. The center's board informed the court it will delay engraving until at least September 8 to allow for legal proceedings, though officials have maintained scaffolding at the site, citing structural repairs.

Beatty argues the board is defying a prior court order and violating the statute that dedicated the memorial exclusively to John F. Kennedy. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had previously ruled in May that the addition of Trump's name was illegal and ordered its removal by June 12, 2026. While the center complied with the removal in June, the current board resolutions seek to reverse that action.