Trump's name must be removed from Kennedy Center by June 12, memo to staff says

By — Liz Landers Liz Landers Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trumps-name-must-be-removed-from-kennedy-center-by-june-12-memo-to-staff-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump's name must be removed from Kennedy Center by June 12, memo to staff says Politics Jun 4, 2026 6:43 PM EDT President Donald Trump's name must come off the Kennedy Center by June 12, according to a memo issued to the national arts center staff Thursday following a court ruling that found the rebrand was illegal. READ MORE: Judge says Kennedy Center board violated law putting Trump's name on building, blocks closure The center's office of the general counsel sent a memo on Thursday directing staff to immediately remove the president's name from email signatures, letterhead and other documents and replace it with "The Kennedy Center" or "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts." The letter also directs all other templates and forms, signage, brochures and website pages to be changed by June 12. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. "The court ruled that the Board acted beyond its authority in adding President Trump's name to the Center and gave the Center 14 days from May 29 to remove all references to the Center being named for anyone other than John F. Kennedy," the memo said. The board of the arts facility voted unanimously to add Trump's name to the building in December, prompting legal challenges. The Kennedy family also condemned the move. Kerry Kennedy wrote on Dec. 18 on X that "President Kennedy proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer. President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy's." WATCH: Ex-Kennedy Center staffer alleges chaos and cronyism under Trump leadership "We are complying with the court's order while evaluating all legal options to preserve this revitalization and recognize President Trump's leadership," Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center's vice president of public relations, said in response to a request for comment by PBS News. The May 29 court ruling on the name change was part of a broader ruling that also found the Kennedy Center Board's vote to close the facility for two years for renovations was "ill-informed." U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said decisions about future closure should be made in closer consultation with the board. In response, Trump said he was backing away from his plans for renovations and would transfer oversight back to Congress. The memo sent on Thursday said that the center is "considering its options" when it comes to closing the center during renovations. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now