Kennedy Center's survival depends on Trump, DOJ says in new filing

Judge Says Trump’s Name Should Stay Off Kennedy Center for Now

After the court forced the removal of the president’s name from the building’s title, the center devised a plan to add an inscription honoring President Trump.

Aug 27, 2026

DOJ insists new Trump inscriptions are ‘not renaming’ Kennedy Center

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday defended renewed plans to inscribe President Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center, insisting they do not run afoul of previous court rulings that found the changes were unlawful. A DOJ lawyer told U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper during a nearly two-hour hearing that the renowned performing arts center was…

Aug 27, 2026

Lutnick floats new way to add Trump’s name to Kennedy Center

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested on Thursday a new way for President Trump’s name to reappear on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center. Lutnick told reporters outside of a Thursday hearing that the center could “acknowledge President Trump” for his role in proposed renovations. The Trump administration earlier this week said in a court filing…

Aug 27, 2026

Kennedy Center's survival depends on Trump, DOJ says in new filing

The Trump administration argued in a Monday court filing that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts must undergo proposed renovations and a cash infusion to survive. Why it matters: It's the latest in the legal battle over the venue's future, which the administration has proposed to overhaul , including potentially adding President Trump's name to the building. Driving the news: "An order blocking the Board from appropriately recognizing President Trump," the DOJ argued in Monday's

Aug 25, 2026