The Kennedy Center just quietly changed its website and it’s already causing drama. A federal judge’s ruling triggered a branding overhaul that has everyone from staff to the president reacting.
Donald Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Center website
The Kennedy Center website no longer displays “Trump” in its logo, CNN reported. A federal judge ruled that the institution must remove President Donald Trump’s name from its branding. The website logo previously read “Trump Kennedy Center” after a loyalist board voted to rename it in December.
The Kennedy Center’s general counsel issued a memo to staff outlining compliance steps. Staff received instructions to immediately update email signatures, letterhead, and marketing materials. The memo set June 12 as the deadline for removing Trump’s name from all remaining branding.
“To comply with this order, you must immediately change email signatures, letterhead, and other documents,” the general counsel wrote. The memo also required changes to “templates and forms, signage, brochures, and website pages” by Friday, June 12, 2026. The building’s facade still features “Donald J. Trump” in large lettering for now.
Trump expressed frustration with the ruling on Truth Social shortly after the decision. He initially indicated plans to transfer full control of the performing arts center to Congress. He has since walked back those remarks and signaled he would continue with renovation plans instead.
“I’m the chairman, so we’ll just keep it going,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. He added that people “want me to stay very badly” and that his team would “take a look at it.” The president’s shifting stance leaves the center’s future governance somewhat uncertain.
The Kennedy Center will honor comedian Bill Maher with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor later this month. Louis C.K., Arianna Huffington, Whitney Cummings, John Mellencamp, Woody Harrelson, Jay Leno, and Stephen A. Smith will appear at the ceremony. Performance-only tickets start at $99, while premium packages sell for $750 and $1,500.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.
