Last month federal judge Christoopher Cooper ordered that the name of the Kennedy Center be returned to its original name – the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  The Center was given a deadline of June 12 by midnight.

That deadline was not met and once workers began the process a tarp was erected that covered the front of The Kennedy Center.  Supposedly the illegal name has been removed but the tarp continues to remain covering the front of the building.

But removal of the illegal name was not the only ruling by Judge Cooper…

Judge Cooper has given the Kennedy Center until June 19 to report on The Center’s plans for renovations while keeping The Kennedy Center open for public events, saying the board needed to “apprise the Court of the status of plans for the Kennedy Center construction project, Board actions in that regard, and any other pertinent developments.”

Judge Cooper ruled that the Kennedy Center must remain open while renovations are made.  He is asking for information on, “for public access and ongoing programming, activities, and operations after July 5, 2026.”

Originally the Kennedy Center board and the White House reported that The Center would close July 4 and remain shuttered for a two year period while $250 million worth of major renovations were made. 

Like many things coming out of the White House, there were conflicting reports regarding the extent of the “major renovations” from the building would not be torn down to only the steel frame would remain.

In his May 29 ruling, Judge Cooper stated that an addition to the name of the Kennedy Center – the building and everywhere else it appeared – was illegal; adding that only Congress can make such changes.  Congress established the Center for Performing Arts as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy.

Protesting Judge Cooper’s ruling, the White House took to social media to decry the decision and in a “if I can’t have my way, I’m taking my ball and go home” move; the post stated it would be returned to Congress since he couldn’t do what he wanted.

The Kennedy Center board – a handpicked group of loyalists put in place after the hostile takeover – also protested and fought to keep the name on the building.

After the hostile takeover in February 2025, many performances were cancelled and a number of people resigned their positions in protest.

Earlier this year the White House announced the closure of The Center saying via social media, “I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before.”