Kennedy Center Board Votes to Add Trump's Name to Building

The Kennedy Center's board of trustees has voted to inscribe "Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump" on the building, a move that directly challenges a federal judge's order to remove the former president's name. The decision, reported by The New York Times on August 13, 2026, is seen as an aggressive test of judicial authority. The board's action comes amid ongoing legal battles over the center's governance and Trump's involvement. The inscription is intended to recognize Trump's role in the renovation, though critics argue it violates the court order. The center, a major cultural institution in Washington, D.C., has been at the center of political controversy since Trump's presidency. The vote highlights tensions between the board and the judiciary, with potential legal repercussions. The specific date of the vote and the exact wording of the inscription were not disclosed in the source. The move is likely to escalate the conflict, as the judge may hold the board in contempt. The Kennedy Center, officially the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, is a national landmark. The board's decision has drawn attention from the art world and beyond, raising questions about the intersection of politics and cultural heritage.