Kennedy Center board votes to return Trump’s name to venue’s facade

Published August 14, 2026 9:17am ET | Updated August 14, 2026 9:17am ET



The Kennedy Center’s board of trustees on Thursday voted to put President Donald Trump’s name on the institution’s facade in Washington, D.C., testing the limits of a judge’s order on the matter. 

The board voted to add the inscription “Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump” below the Kennedy Center sign, according to Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), who sits on the board. The physical site outside the building is also set to be renamed “the President Donald J. Trump Plaza,” after Beatty said Thursday’s vote sought to “circumvent” U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper’s ruling blocking Trump’s name from being added to the Kennedy Center’s official title. 

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.