The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is once again at the center of a political and cultural fight, as President Donald Trump continues efforts to reshape the iconic Washington DC institution.

Last month, the Kennedy Center's board voted to again put Trump's name on the building and rename its grounds the "President Donald J. Trump Plaza." But the move remains tied up in court and has not taken effect.

The board's decision came despite a federal judge previously ruling that the center's official name cannot be changed without Congress. Government lawyers argue the new signage would recognize Trump's role in renovating the building rather than formally renaming it.

The renovation plans have also taken a more dramatic turn. In a court filing last month, the Trump administration warned that the Kennedy Center could eventually face demolition if critical repairs aren't completed. The filing suggested replacing it with an outdoor amphitheater, though administration officials have downplayed the idea as a present plan.

The Kennedy Center's board voted again last month to close the facility for two years as part of renovations that are expected to exceed $250 million.

From Lake America to buildings and institutions bearing Trump's name, see the places, landmarks and public spaces tied to the president's branding campaign.Pictured here, a map labeling Lake Ontario as "Lake America" is displayed as President Donald Trump signs an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" on Aug. 27, 2026, amid an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada.See what Trump has renamed or attached his name to. (Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)
From Lake America to buildings and institutions bearing Trump's name, see the places, landmarks and public spaces tied to the president's branding campaign.Pictured here, a map labeling Lake Ontario as "Lake America" is displayed as President Donald Trump signs an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" on Aug. 27, 2026, amid an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada.See what Trump has renamed or attached his name to. (Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)
President Donald Trump announced that he is renaming Lake Ontario – a large body of water shared by the United States and Canada – "Lake America." Trump signed an order in the White House in a move that comes amid a spiraling trade war between the world's largest economy and its northern neighbor. (COLE BURSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump announced that he is renaming Lake Ontario – a large body of water shared by the United States and Canada – "Lake America." Trump signed an order in the White House in a move that comes amid a spiraling trade war between the world's largest economy and its northern neighbor. (COLE BURSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
Trump also ordered the Gulf of Mexico renamed to Gulf of America in January 2025. (JIM WATSON, AFP via Getty Images)
Trump also ordered the Gulf of Mexico renamed to Gulf of America in January 2025. (JIM WATSON, AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump signed an order on Sept. 5, 2025 rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War, saying it sent a "message of victory" to the rest of the world. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump signed an order on Sept. 5, 2025 rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War, saying it sent a "message of victory" to the rest of the world. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images)
A photo of the new USNS Harvey Milk is displayed during a ship naming ceremony on Aug. 16, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The Navy named the fleet replenishment oiler after Milk, a Navy veteran and gay rights leader. In June 2025, the vessel was renamed USNS Oscar V. Peterson in honor of a World War II Medal of Honor recipient. (Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)
A photo of the new USNS Harvey Milk is displayed during a ship naming ceremony on Aug. 16, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The Navy named the fleet replenishment oiler after Milk, a Navy veteran and gay rights leader. In June 2025, the vessel was renamed USNS Oscar V. Peterson in honor of a World War II Medal of Honor recipient. (Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)
President Donald Trump's name was added to the John F. Kennedy Center's facade in December 2025, removed under court order in June 2026 and partially restored through a new inscription approved by the Kennedy Center board in August 2026. (Daniel Heuer, Reuters)
President Donald Trump's name was added to the John F. Kennedy Center's facade in December 2025, removed under court order in June 2026 and partially restored through a new inscription approved by the Kennedy Center board in August 2026. (Daniel Heuer, Reuters)
A sign reads "Donald J. Trump" on the building of the United States Institute of Peace a day after the name of the US President was added to the sign for the Institute in Washington, DC, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Brian Snyder, Reuters)
A sign reads "Donald J. Trump" on the building of the United States Institute of Peace a day after the name of the US President was added to the sign for the Institute in Washington, DC, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Brian Snyder, Reuters)
A sign reads "Donald J. Trump" on the building of the United States Institute of Peace after the name of the US President was added to the sign for the Institute in Washington, DC, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Brian Snyder, Reuters)
A sign reads "Donald J. Trump" on the building of the United States Institute of Peace after the name of the US President was added to the sign for the Institute in Washington, DC, on Dec. 4, 2025. (Brian Snyder, Reuters)
President Trump gathered allies on Feb. 19, 2026, to inaugurate the "Board of Peace." (SAUL LOEB, AFP via Getty Images)
President Trump gathered allies on Feb. 19, 2026, to inaugurate the "Board of Peace." (SAUL LOEB, AFP via Getty Images)
A sign on I-95 directs drivers to the President Donald J. Trump International Airport on July 9, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida. The airport formerly known as Palm Beach International Airport has officially been renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport. Several airports across the country are named after past presidents, but President Trump is the first president to have an airport named after him while still in office.Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to rename the Palm Beach International Airport after President Trump. (Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
A sign on I-95 directs drivers to the President Donald J. Trump International Airport on July 9, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida. The airport formerly known as Palm Beach International Airport has officially been renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport. Several airports across the country are named after past presidents, but President Trump is the first president to have an airport named after him while still in office.Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to rename the Palm Beach International Airport after President Trump. (Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
A new welcome sign reading "Donald J. Trump International Airport" is seen at the airport's main entrance ramp in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 9, 2026. A Florida airport was renamed after Donald Trump on Thursday, accelerating a push by the US president and supporters to plaster his name and image on everything from national landmarks to banknotes. The Republican leader's son Eric celebrated by landing in the private family Boeing 757 – so-called "Trump Force One" – at what had been known as Palm Beach International Airport for nearly half a century. (CHANDAN KHANNA, AFP via Getty Images)
A new welcome sign reading "Donald J. Trump International Airport" is seen at the airport's main entrance ramp in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 9, 2026. A Florida airport was renamed after Donald Trump on Thursday, accelerating a push by the US president and supporters to plaster his name and image on everything from national landmarks to banknotes. The Republican leader's son Eric celebrated by landing in the private family Boeing 757 – so-called "Trump Force One" – at what had been known as Palm Beach International Airport for nearly half a century. (CHANDAN KHANNA, AFP via Getty Images)
A sign marking the newly dedicated portion of Southern Boulevard, which the Town of Palm Beach Council recently voted to rename President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, is seen across the street from the Mar-a-Lago Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 17, 2026. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images)
A sign marking the newly dedicated portion of Southern Boulevard, which the Town of Palm Beach Council recently voted to rename President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, is seen across the street from the Mar-a-Lago Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 17, 2026. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images)
Palm Beach Southern Boulevard, between Kirk Road and South Ocean Boulevard, was renamed as "President Donald J. Trump Boulevard."Pictured here, President Donald Trump and Meg Weinberger (L), a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, unveil a road sign during a dedication ceremony for Southern Boulevard, in the ballroom at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 16, 2026. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images)
Palm Beach Southern Boulevard, between Kirk Road and South Ocean Boulevard, was renamed as "President Donald J. Trump Boulevard."Pictured here, President Donald Trump and Meg Weinberger (L), a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, unveil a road sign during a dedication ceremony for Southern Boulevard, in the ballroom at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 16, 2026. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images)
A concept rendering of the proposed Trump class USS Defiant is displayed as President Trump announces the US Navy's new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling plans for a new class of warships.President Trump on Dec. 22, 2025, announced a new class of heavily armed warships that will be named after himself -- an honor usually reserved for US leaders who have left office. Two of the Trump-class ships will be built initially but that number could grow substantially in the future, according to the president, who said they will be "some of the most lethal surface warfare ships" and "the largest battleship in the history of our country." (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images)
A concept rendering of the proposed Trump class USS Defiant is displayed as President Trump announces the US Navy's new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling plans for a new class of warships.President Trump on Dec. 22, 2025, announced a new class of heavily armed warships that will be named after himself -- an honor usually reserved for US leaders who have left office. Two of the Trump-class ships will be built initially but that number could grow substantially in the future, according to the president, who said they will be "some of the most lethal surface warfare ships" and "the largest battleship in the history of our country." (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 19, 2025, creating a "gold card" residency program for a fee of $1 million for individuals and $2 million for sponsorships by corporations. "I think it's going to be tremendously successful," Trump told journalists. (MANDEL NGAN, AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 19, 2025, creating a "gold card" residency program for a fee of $1 million for individuals and $2 million for sponsorships by corporations. "I think it's going to be tremendously successful," Trump told journalists. (MANDEL NGAN, AFP via Getty Images)
The Trump Gold Card is a U.S. immigration program that offers expedited permanent residency to wealthy individuals and corporate-sponsored talent in exchange for a significant financial investment. (Ken Cedeno, Reuters)
The Trump Gold Card is a U.S. immigration program that offers expedited permanent residency to wealthy individuals and corporate-sponsored talent in exchange for a significant financial investment. (Ken Cedeno, Reuters)
A Semiquincentennial commemorative gold coin design featuring President Donald Trump. In March 2025, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the coin's design, which features an image of Trump leaning over the Resolute Desk based on a photograph by the chief White House photographer. The Treasury Department has also announced plans for a separate $1 Trump coin. (U.S. Mint, via Reuters)
A Semiquincentennial commemorative gold coin design featuring President Donald Trump. In March 2025, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved the coin's design, which features an image of Trump leaning over the Resolute Desk based on a photograph by the chief White House photographer. The Treasury Department has also announced plans for a separate $1 Trump coin. (U.S. Mint, via Reuters)
President Trump announced the launch of TrumpRx, which the White House said would help lower prescription drug prices. (Nathan Howard, Getty Images)
President Trump announced the launch of TrumpRx, which the White House said would help lower prescription drug prices. (Nathan Howard, Getty Images)
US Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia speaks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on May 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump spoke on the TrumpRX site, prescription drugs, and health care affordability during the event. (Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
US Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia speaks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on May 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump spoke on the TrumpRX site, prescription drugs, and health care affordability during the event. (Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
President Donald Trump rings a bell to mark the first day of trading for "Trump Accounts" with invited children, NYSE President Lynn Martin, Susan Dell and others in the Oval Office at the White House on July 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. The accounts are a $1,000 government seed deposit for children born between 2025 and 2028, with family and employer contributions capped at $5,000 annually and restricted to low-cost U.S. equity index funds. (Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
President Donald Trump rings a bell to mark the first day of trading for "Trump Accounts" with invited children, NYSE President Lynn Martin, Susan Dell and others in the Oval Office at the White House on July 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. The accounts are a $1,000 government seed deposit for children born between 2025 and 2028, with family and employer contributions capped at $5,000 annually and restricted to low-cost U.S. equity index funds. (Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)

From Lake America to buildings and institutions bearing Trump's name, see the places, landmarks and public spaces tied to the president's branding campaign.

Pictured here, a map labeling Lake Ontario as "Lake America" is displayed as President Donald Trump signs an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" on Aug. 27, 2026, amid an ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada.

See what Trump has renamed or attached his name to.

Meanwhile, crews began removing "Blue," a towering blue sculpture by artist Joel Shapiro, from the Kennedy Center's campus Wednesday. The sculpture was installed in 2019 and had become a recognizable part of the Kennedy Center grounds.

The removal has drawn criticism from artists and activists who view it as another example of the Trump administration reshaping the Kennedy Center's artistic identity. Hands Off the Arts, a group of artists, former employees and patrons opposed to Trump's changes of the Kennedy Center, condemned the removal and accused the administration of trying to erase art it dislikes.

And then there are the weeping willows. Photos of the trees being gone have recently circulated online, but that isn't a new development: the Kennedy Center removed the trees in October 2025 after determining that many had decayed and posed a safety hazard.

Mike Stunson is a Washington DC-based reporter writing all things trending, breaking and city-related for USA TODAY's Washington DC Metro Connect Team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's happening at the Kennedy Center? The latest changes, explained