The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted Thursday to inscribe President Donald Trump's name on the building, adding the phrase 'Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump' beneath the institution's main signage.

The resolution, approved by the Trump-aligned board, represents a direct challenge to a federal judge's May 2026 order that barred the center from renaming itself after the president without congressional approval. Trump's name had been affixed to the facade in December 2025 following a board vote but was removed in June 2026 after workers complied with the court deadline.

According to people familiar with the proceedings, the latest action tests the boundaries of the prior ruling by framing the addition as recognition of restoration work rather than a full rename. The center has faced ongoing legal scrutiny over its governance and signage changes since the board's composition shifted under the Trump administration.

The vote occurred amid broader efforts by the board to highlight improvements at the performing arts venue. No immediate legal response from challengers was reported as of Thursday afternoon.

This development follows months of litigation that began when a federal district judge ruled only Congress holds authority to alter the Kennedy Center's name, which honors former President John F. Kennedy. The board had previously argued that the inscription honored the president's role in addressing the center's financial and physical condition.