The Kennedy Center without Trump’s name will still be tainted: L.A. arts and culture this weekend

The Kennedy Center faces a court-ordered deadline to remove Donald Trump’s name from its building and signage by Friday after a judge ruled the board violated the law by keeping it. The center’s board requested a last-minute stay on Thursday, signaling resistance to compliance, though the outcome remains uncertain. Trump took control in 2025 by firing the board and appointing himself chairman, reshaping leadership with figures like former ambassador Richard Grenell, who alienated staff and artists. Since Trump’s takeover, the center has suffered significant damage, including the departure of major programs like the Washington National Opera, which left in 2026 after 55 years. Artist defections, cancellations, and layoffs—reportedly in double digits—followed, weakening the institution’s operations. Trump’s two-year closure announcement further destabilized staff morale, though Judge Christopher Cooper halted the shutdown. The center’s programming has suffered, with summer and fall seasons struggling to recover due to advanced scheduling challenges in music, dance, and theater. Trump’s influence extended to personnel changes, including Grenell’s replacement by Matt Floca in March, but trust and stability remain fractured. The building’s reputation, once prestigious, now carries lingering damage from Trump’s leadership. Even if his name is removed, the Kennedy Center’s legacy will be tainted by the turmoil of his tenure. The institution’s future hinges on rebuilding trust, recruiting talent, and restoring its cultural standing after years of disruption. For now, the center remains a symbol of both artistic resilience and institutional vulnerability.