Kennedy Center says it isn't required to reschedule shows after judge blocks 2-year closure

A tarp covers the newly removed name of US President Donald Trump from the facade of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 13, 2026. A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administrations last-minute bid to keep the presidents name on the Kennedy Center as a Friday removal deadline neared. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Kennedy Center's management isn't committing to scheduling new shows or building up its staff, even as the performing arts venue considers options short of a full two-year closure that a federal judge blocked last month. In a court filing Friday, Kennedy Center lawyers said the institution plans to "maintain an operational model" after July 5, the date it was initially scheduled to shutter for renovations. Under that status, the Kennedy Center's public spaces will still be accessible, but the stages may largely be silent. "The Court's order did not affirmatively require the Board to reschedule programming that had previously been canceled or to seek new programming," the lawyers wrote in the filing. The Kennedy Center has been forced to reassess its plans after a May ruling from U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper upended many notable moves imposed by a board dominated by President Donald Trump's allies. Cooper said Trump's name was illegally added to the building and ordered it taken down. He blocked the closure and gave the institution's leadership — along with Rep. …