NPR News: 05-30-2026 2PM EDT

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Nora Raum· Host0:13

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Raum. A federal judge has ruled that President Trump's name should not have been added to the Kennedy Center. NPR's Anastasia Tsioulcas reports.

Anastasia Tsioulcas0:26

In his ruling, US District Court Judge Christopher Cooper writes, quote, "The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the board's unilateral say-so." Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it. Judge Cooper also ruled that the center could not wind down its programming and close for two years of renovations, at least for now. He wrote that the board did not have sufficient details to make an informed decision about the closure. All of the current board's voting members were selected by Trump. The Kennedy Center told NPR it plans to appeal the decision. Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR News.

Nora Raum· Host1:13

President Trump says he's considering canceling a planned series of concerts on the National Mall to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday since several artists have withdrawn. He said he's thinking instead of giving a major speech, calling himself the, quote, "number one attraction