Trump’s Name Gone from Kennedy Center, Facade Still Tarped
A tarp and scaffolding continue to cover the Kennedy Center’s facade days after Trump’s name was removed following a federal court order.
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Scaffolding and a large weatherproof tarp continued to obscure the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, June 15, 2026, days after construction crews removed President Donald Trump’s name from the building.
Name Removed Following Court Order
Workers took down Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center in the early morning hours of Saturday after a federal appeals court upheld a Friday deadline requiring its removal, according to the Georgia Recorder. The removal marked a setback for Trump’s efforts during his second term to assert direct control over the center’s governance.
Trump had moved to reshape the Kennedy Center’s leadership and programming, describing certain performances as “woke” and pushing for changes in the institution’s direction. The court order requiring his name’s removal came amid that broader dispute over control of the federally chartered arts organization.
Tarp and Scaffolding Remain in Place
As of Monday afternoon, the section of the building’s facade where Trump’s name had been displayed was almost entirely blocked from public view. A Kennedy Center spokesperson told reporters that the scaffolding and tarp would remain up while crews conduct maintenance work on the building’s marble and soffit panels.
The center did not specify how long the maintenance work is expected to take or when the covering will be removed, according to the Georgia Recorder. No timeline was provided for when the facade will be visible to the public again.
Background on Trump’s Role at the Kennedy Center
Trump’s name had been added to the Kennedy Center as part of his administration’s effort to leave a visible mark on the institution during his second term. The center, formally known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is a federally supported venue located along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.
The legal battle over the naming and governance of the center reflected a wider conflict between the Trump administration and arts organizations over programming and institutional independence. With the appeals court upholding the removal deadline, the name came down before the weekend was over.
