- An official at the Trump- Kennedy Center warned a federal judge that removing Donald Trump 's name would cause unbearable financial damage, severing a vital fundraising connection.
- Charles Matthew Floca, the center's executive director, stated Trump has already raised tens of millions and committed to raising $150 billion more from private donors.
- Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat, filed a lawsuit in December 2025, challenging the board's decision to permanently add Trump's name, calling it an "unlawful personal vanity project."
- Beatty's lawsuit also contests Trump's plan to close the center for two years for renovations, arguing only Congress has the authority to rename the institution.
- U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper partially sided with Beatty in March, ruling she must have a "meaningful opportunity to provide input," while a December 2025 YouGov poll showed 66 percent disapproval for renaming the center.
IN FULL
