Kerry Kennedy, niece of John F. Kennedy, praised Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as a "national hero" for opposing President Donald Trump’s efforts to rename the Kennedy Center. The statement followed a legal victory for Beatty in her December 2025 lawsuit to prevent the president from adding his name to the Washington, D.C., performing arts center.
The dispute centers on a board resolution to rename the facility, which serves as a living memorial to the 35th president. On Tuesday, September 15, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper barred the administration from installing memorials for President Trump or others at the center without Congressional approval, stating the board's action contradicted a federal court order and federal statute.
Following the ruling, Beatty reported that a meeting with the Kennedy Center board, which Trump chairs, was "unprofessional." She stated the president called her an "obstructionist" and "dumb." Trump administration officials have accused Democrats of letting the center fall into disrepair, while Democrats have characterized the rebranding effort as a "vanity project." Administration officials argued that excluding the president's name could hamper fundraising.
After the confrontation, the board voted to close the performing arts venue. President Trump stated on Truth Social that he will not proceed with a planned renovation project unless the court decision is overturned. On Thursday, September 17, the president suggested the building could be "ripped down" and was seen looking at a poster that read "Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED."
The standoff between the executive branch and the judiciary sets a precedent for how federal memorials and government buildings are named and renovated. A May Pew Research Center poll indicated that 9 percent of Americans believe it is acceptable for a sitting president to name government buildings after themselves. The ruling by Judge Cooper reinforces the requirement for Congressional authorization before a federal memorial's identity or physical dedication is altered.
The immediate outcome is a stalemate regarding the building's physical future and operational status. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to provide at least 30 days’ notice before making any physical changes to the structure. The president has indicated that the future of the renovation now depends on a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. No specific dates for further court hearings or a reopening of the venue have been reported.