Kennedy Center without Trump’s name in the future: US President angry

A committee controlled by Trump decided to rename it the Trump Kennedy Center – wrongly, as a judge has now found. Only Parliament has this right.

In addition, at least for the time being, the center may not be closed for renovation work in the summer for two years as Trump planned. The decision comes around two weeks before Trump’s 80th birthday, which is to be celebrated with much fanfare, a setback for his plans to immortalize himself in the capital’s landscape even beyond his term in office.

Trump: No president is treated more unfairly

Trump reacted emotionally to the verdict. “There has never been a President of the United States who has been treated as unfairly by the courts as I have been,” he said in a lengthy post on social media. But instead of announcing an appeal, he canceled the renovation of the center he had planned. He is “no longer interested” in moving forward with the project. It was initially not known whether Trump would continue to play his role on the institution’s board of trustees.

He ordered that responsibility for the cultural institution be transferred “completely” to Congress – including “operation, maintenance and administration.” The judge should be ashamed, Trump said.

The court justified the decision by saying that Congress once gave the Kennedy Center its name and therefore only Congress is allowed to change it. So it’s not entirely out of the question that Trump’s name will end up on the facade again: Trump’s Republicans currently have a narrow majority in both chambers of parliament. Whether all Republican senators and representatives would support Trump in this case, especially in an election year, seems at least questionable. It is also possible that the decision will still be appealed.

Trump’s fight against supposedly left-wing propaganda from the cultural sector

Trump took control of the Kennedy Center shortly after taking office in January 2025 and announced a fight against “anti-American propaganda” in the cultural world. He dismissed several members of the board of trustees, took over the chairmanship and temporarily commissioned his confidant Richard Grenell to realign the institution. Grenell was previously the US ambassador in Berlin and repeatedly caused a stir there with brusque statements.

In December, the Kennedy Center was renamed the Trump Kennedy Center. This led to major protests and artists canceled performances. All genres of theater, dance and music are traditionally shown in the Kennedy Center building on the Potomac River. The house was named after former President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963).

Trump’s planned closure of the Kennedy Center may not take place for the time being because, in the judge’s opinion, there was a lack of careful and open-ended review for the decision to close it. However, the repairs can continue. The court did not fundamentally prevent the decision-makers from temporarily closing the facility. But it requires proper testing.

Critics speak of a desire for recognition

Trump’s defeat stands in contrast to other places in the capital where the president is rebuilding, demolishing and renovating in order to shape the face of the city. Supporters say Trump is bringing Washington back into shape. Critics see a brazen approach that is only based on the taste and will of the president. You talk about craving for recognition.

The best example is the White House grounds, where Trump had the east wing demolished and a huge ballroom built. The magazine New York Magazine had once commented: “Trump is turning the White House into Mar-a-Lago.” Trump’s private estate Mar-a-Lago is known for its lavish design with gold elements. Trump is currently also having public spaces in Washington spruced up – also with a view to the celebrations around July 4th, on which the USA celebrates its 250th birthday.

Trump is also planning a giant triumphal arch in the city. It is supposed to tower over triumphal arches in other parts of the world – which will certainly please the president, who has a penchant for superlatives.