Federal judge blocks Trump from renaming Kennedy Center
A federal judge in Washington has ordered the immediate removal of Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, blocking the former president’s attempt to rebrand the iconic venue as the "Trump-Kennedy Center." U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ruled Friday that the Kennedy Center’s board overstepped its authority by approving the name change without congressional approval, halting both the renaming and a planned closure for renovations.
The 94-page decision, obtained by *Axios*, states that "Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it." The ruling delivers a legal and symbolic blow to Trump, who had sought to associate his name with the 50-year-old cultural landmark as part of a broader push to align his administration with patriotic celebrations. The Kennedy Center’s board, stacked with Trump appointees, had approved the change in April, sparking bipartisan backlash and multiple lawsuits.
Separately, Trump’s influence is roiling plans for the "Freedom 250" concert series, a high-profile event marking the U.S.’s 250th anniversary. Two-thirds of the announced performers—including Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, and Young MC—have withdrawn, citing concerns over the event’s ties to Trump and its portrayal as a partisan "MAGA celebration." McBride called the event "misleading," while Michaels said it had "evolved into something much more divisive" than the nonpartisan patriotic celebration he had agreed to join. Only three acts—C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice, and Flo Rida—remain scheduled for the June 25–July 10 performances on the National Mall.
Organizers insist Freedom 250 is nonpartisan, noting that all 50 governors were invited to participate. However, the event’s origins trace back to a Trump administration initiative, and past activities—including a religious service featuring Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—have fueled perceptions of bias. A spokeswoman for Freedom 250 acknowledged the withdrawals but vowed to proceed, framing the fair as a unifying celebration of American culture.
The dual setbacks underscore the challenges Trump faces in leveraging public institutions and events to bolster his political brand. The Kennedy Center ruling, in particular, sets a precedent that could limit future attempts to rename federal landmarks without legislative approval. Meanwhile, the concert series’ struggles reflect broader tensions over Trump’s polarizing legacy, even as his allies position the 250th anniversary as a platform for his 2026 midterm ambitions.
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Umbenennung von Institutionen: Gericht: Der Name Trump darf nicht auf Kennedy Center stehen
die zeit · 8 days ago
Trumps Name muss von Kennedy Center entfernt werden
orf.at · 8 days ago
Gericht: Trumps Name muss von Kennedy Center entfernt werden
orf.at · 8 days ago
USA: Trumps Name muss vom Kennedy-Center entfernt werden Ein Bundesrichter hat Medienberichten zufolge entschieden, dass eine Namensänderung vom Kongress hätte bewilligt werden müssen. In Louisiana teilen Republikaner Wahlbezirke neu auf.
sueddeutsche · 8 days ago
Performers keep dropping out of the Trump-linked Freedom 250 concert series Two-thirds of the announced lineup for the Freedom 250 concert series have dropped out, with most artists citing concerns about being tied to an event billed as nonpartisan but described by critics as a MAGA celebration.Why it matters: President Trump has promoted the nations 250th birthday events as a grand patriotic affair, but the withdrawals underscore artists fears of alienating fans amid partisan divides.Six scheduled performers — Morris Day, Young MC, Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Milli Vanilli and The Commodores — have withdrawn since the concert lineup was announced Wednesday.C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida remain scheduled to perform.What theyre saying: Michaels, McBride and Young MC all cited issues with how the event was presented to them, with McBride going so far as to say the "event ....turned out to be misleading."Michaels, who withdrew on Friday, said "what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of."Young MC said he would not participate because "despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed."Day also chimed in on Wednesday, writing on Instagram, "Its A No For Me😎."Catch up quick: The concert series host, Freedom 250, was born out of an initiative the Trump administration announced shortly after taking office.The links to the Trump administration have resulted in swift backlash and encouraged critics on social media to claim the celebration is partisan and cheer artists when they drop out.Organizers told Axios in an emailed statement that Freedom 250 is a nonpartisan nonprofit hoping to bring together "all 50 states and 6 territories," adding that every states governor has been invited to attend.Despite that mission, the organizers have already carried out some events — such as a mostly-Christian religious service that included guests like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.What theyre saying: "We respect the rights of any artist to make their own decisions, and our doors remain open to any performer who wants to be part of honoring 250 years of American freedom, culture, and unity," Freedom 250 spokeswoman Rachel Reisner said."There is far too much to celebrate about this great nation to let noise and division distract from the incredible moment ahead — and we look forward to welcoming millions of Americans to a fair that belongs to all Americans."Worth noting: Freedom Williams, frontman of C+C Music Factory, posted a seven-minute, profanity-laced rant on social media saying he would not perform because he did not realize the event was Trump-backed. He later reversed course, saying backlash and critics wouldnt control his decision.Zoom out: Organizers plan to hold the performances during the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., from June 25 to July 10.Vocalists, dancers, crafters and cultural heritage performers are also expected to appear.Go deeper: Exclusive: Flo Rida, FIFA and a giant Ferris wheel are coming to the National Mall
axios · 8 days ago
Trumps name must be removed from Kennedy Center, judge orders President Trumps name must be removed from the Kennedy Center, according to an order signed Friday by a D.C. district judge. The big picture: The ruling is a hit to the presidents effort to renovate the performing arts venue, which was scheduled to close later this year so work could begin. Fridays order also halted the closure. What theyre saying: "The Court has concluded that the Board overstepped its statutory bounds by unilaterally renaming the Kennedy Center after President Trump," U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper wrote in a 94-page ruling."As stated at the outset, Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it."Editors note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information.
axios · 8 days ago
Trump cant rename Kennedy Center after himself or close it down, judge says A federal judge has blocked Donald Trump from renaming the Kennedy Center the Trump-Kennedy Center, nor can the president close it down for repairs.
independent · 8 days ago
JUST IN: US judge orders removal of Trumps name from Kennedy Center reut.rs/4dN3gty
bluesky bot · 8 days ago