Overview
- Beatty, an ex officio trustee, filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington, naming President Trump, Kennedy Center trustees, and interim executive Richard Grenell as defendants.
- The complaint seeks a declaration that the legal name remains the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, nullification of the board vote, and removal of all physical and digital Trump signage.
- Beatty alleges she was muted during the board meeting and prevented from speaking or voting, disputing the White House claim that the decision was unanimous.
- Workers installed new lettering on the facade and updated online branding after last week’s announcement, and the signage remains in place as the case proceeds.
- The White House and Kennedy Center representatives defend the move as recognition of Trump’s role in stabilizing the institution, while members of the Kennedy family and some artists have condemned the change, with cancellations reported.