A federal appeals court on July 8, 2026, denied the Trump administration's request for a stay pending an appeal regarding a lower court's order that removed President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stated that the appellants did not demonstrate irreparable harm, and thus did not need to address the government's likelihood of success on the merits of the case.
This ruling represents a setback for the Justice Department, which is contesting U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper's order to eliminate references to Trump from the Kennedy Center's building, website, and promotional materials. The center's board has complied with the order during the appeals process.
Federal prosecutors claimed that the judge's order would negatively impact the Kennedy Center's fundraising efforts, but the appeals court found that the administration did not provide specific evidence to support this claim. Additionally, the DOJ argued that a new entity, the Trump Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, would have to return funds if Trump's name is not restored, but the court noted this argument was not presented in the lower court.
The appeals court also rejected the DOJ's claim that removing Trump's name would waste time and resources, stating that since the name has already been removed, a stay would not prevent those harms. One of the judges on the panel, Gregory Katsas, was appointed by Trump, while the other two judges were appointed by former President Barack Obama. The Kennedy Center's name was restored last month, but the building remains covered with a tarp over its front sign. Judge Cooper has requested an update from the federal government regarding the tarp's presence.
Trump had previously proposed closing the Kennedy Center for renovations starting July 5, 2026, but Judge Cooper ruled in favor of Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), who is a member of the center's board, halting those plans. The district judge is awaiting updates on the Kennedy Center's programming during the renovation period, with the board scheduled to meet later this month to discuss potential actions.