Overview
- Beatty filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for D.C., naming President Trump and his appointees on the Kennedy Center board after last week’s vote to add his name.
- The complaint cites 20 U.S.C. provisions establishing the center as the sole national memorial to John F. Kennedy and contends only an act of Congress can alter its name.
- The filing seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to restore the statutory name and to remove new exterior lettering and digital branding referencing Trump.
- Beatty alleges she was muted during the board meeting, says the vote was misrepresented as unanimous, and calls the process a sham held without proper notice.
- The White House and Kennedy Center allies defend the change as recognition of Trump’s role in “saving” the institution, while the new signage and rebranding remain in place as the case proceeds.