Lawsuit Challenges Trump’s Addition to Kennedy Center Name, Citing Federal Law and Memorial Status

WASHINGTON — A Democratic congresswoman has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to remove President Donald J. Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, arguing that the board’s decision to add it violates a 1964 law requiring congressional approval for any changes to the institution’s designation as a memorial to the slain president. The suit, brought by Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio with support from Norm Eisen, founder of Democracy Defenders Action, highlights growing tensions over Trump’s efforts to imprint his legacy on federal landmarks amid widespread backlash from artists, the Kennedy family, and the public.

The controversy erupted on December 18, 2025, when the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees, largely appointed by Trump, unanimously voted to rename the venue the “Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the move, crediting Trump with rescuing the center from “financial ruin and physical destruction” through upgrades and new programming. By the following day, new signage bearing Trump’s name was affixed to the building’s facade, prompting immediate outcry.

Beatty, who serves as an ex officio member of the board, disputes the vote’s unanimity. In a video statement posted to X on December 19, she claimed she was repeatedly muted during the virtual meeting when attempting to voice objections and vote against the change. “Participants were not allowed to voice their concerns who were online. Yet it was said at the end it was a unanimous vote,” Beatty said. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on December 22, names Trump, the center’s board, and other officials, seeking an injunction to restore the original name.

At the heart of the case is the Kennedy Center’s legal status. Established by Congress in 1958 as the National Cultural Center, it was renamed in 1964 as a “living memorial” to President John F. Kennedy shortly after his assassination. The legislation explicitly prohibits additional memorials or name changes without congressional action, a safeguard to preserve its nonpartisan character. “This is the only living memorial dedicated to him,” Beatty told CNN’s Pamela Brown on December 23. “The board did not have the authority to do what they did.”

Eisen, a former ambassador and ethics czar under President Barack Obama, echoed this in the complaint, calling the rename “grossly illegal” and “disrespectful to the memory of our slain President Kennedy.” He argued that Trump’s self-appointment as board chairman and the vote reflect a pattern of executive overreach, likening it to actions struck down by courts “hundreds of times” during Trump’s previous term.

The Kennedy Center defended the decision, stating that the memorial itself remains unchanged and that the rename honors Trump’s contributions, including structural repairs and financial stabilization. Center vice president Roma Daravi emphasized “unequivocal bipartisan support” in a statement, though critics note the board’s composition skews heavily toward Trump appointees.

The fallout has been swift and multifaceted. The Kennedy family, including descendants of JFK, expressed outrage. A statement from the family on Instagram decried the move as dishonoring a president “interested in the arts,” with RFK Jr.’s vote in favor drawing particular ire from relatives and supporters. Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner, in an MSNBC appearance, called it a “desecration,” comparing it to authoritarian tactics by figures like Benito Mussolini.

Artists and performers have mobilized. The center’s annual Christmas Eve jazz concert, a 20-year tradition hosted by musician Chuck Redd, was canceled on December 24 in protest. Redd cited the rename as crossing a moral line, joining a wave of cancellations that could exacerbate the center’s financial woes—ironically, the very issues Trump claims to have fixed. On X, users likened attending events to “crossing a picket line,” with posts from accounts like @DisavowTrump20 urging boycotts to preserve JFK’s legacy.

Social media reflects a polarized nation. Pro-Trump voices, such as @Realjbushow, dismissed the outrage as “fake,” arguing JFK’s politics align more with modern conservatism and praising the rename as recognizing Trump’s “unbelievable work.” Others, like @ironsnowbird, mocked the change with sarcasm: “Grocery prices are amazing. Pipelines are amazing. Renaming the Kennedy Center, Amazing.” Anti-Trump sentiment dominates trending hashtags like #RemoveTrumpName and #KennedyCenter, with @EKleinChr advocating targeted protests over broad boycotts to avoid harming musicians.

This isn’t Trump’s first naming controversy. His administration has pursued similar rebrands, including the Trump Ballroom at the White House and proposals for federal vessels. Critics, including Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), have introduced bills to block such “Trump branding” of national treasures. On X, @dpakman quipped, “At this point the Epstein Files should probably be renamed the Trump Files,” drawing parallels to other scandals.

Legal experts predict a strong case for the plaintiffs. Kirschner suggested summary judgment, where a judge rules without trial due to undisputed facts. If successful, the suit could set precedents against executive overreach on memorials. Beatty and Eisen frame it as defending democratic norms: “This administration cannot just put Donald Trump’s name on a building. What’s next? The Lincoln Memorial?”

The White House has not commented on the suit, but Trump allies like Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.) have introduced legislation to formalize the rename, signaling a potential congressional battle. Meanwhile, the center’s website now reflects the dual name, but with cancellations mounting, its future programming hangs in balance.

As the case proceeds, it underscores broader debates over presidential power and historical preservation. For many, like X user @moyra_grant, it’s a fight against authoritarianism: “We do not want the name of that idiot on Kennedy Centre!” With artists like Redd boycotting and survivors of the arts community rallying, the Kennedy Center—once a symbol of unity—now embodies division in Trump’s America.