What other construction projects is Trump pursuing in Washington?

Q: What other construction projects is Trump pursuing in Washington?

Trump plans a new promenade between the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River, a triumphal arch on the other side of the river, and a new ballroom in place of the demolished East Wing of the White House, which is to be completed in 2028.

Washington, June 05, 2026 The Kennedy Center in Washington must remove Donald Trump's name from its facade as well as from documents and signage, after a court declared the renaming to Trump Kennedy Center, which occurred in December, inadmissible. The Kennedy Center in Washington is removing Donald Trump's name from parts of the building, documents, and signage at the instruction of a US court. As reported by several US newspapers, staff were instructed to immediately remove the name from email signatures, letterheads, and voicemail greetings. A corresponding memo had been sent the previous day. The background to the order is a court decision from the previous week. The court justified its ruling by stating that a name change of the Kennedy Center could not be decreed unilaterally, as the namesake had originally been determined by the US Congress. Congress would therefore have had to approve a renaming. ## Background of the Renaming The Kennedy Center was renamed Trump Kennedy Center in December after Trump dismissed several board members and took over the chairmanship himself shortly after his inauguration about a year ago. With the renaming, he had also announced that he would fight against what he described as "anti-American propaganda" in the cultural scene. The renaming triggered significant protests, and numerous artists canceled their performances. The instruction to remove the name is part of a broader legal dispute. The court also temporarily blocked Trump's plan to close the Kennedy Center for two years during the summer for renovations. According to US media reports, Trump reacted to the verdict with great anger. The Kennedy Center is one of the most important cultural institutions in the US capital and is located on the Potomac River. It traditionally showcases all genres of theater, dance, and music. It is named after former President John F. Kennedy, who lived from 1917 to 1963. By dismissing several board members and taking over the chairmanship, Trump had taken control of the institution and tasked his confidant Richard Grenell with realigning the institution. ## Deadline and Implementation The deadline for implementing the order is June 12. By then, the website, brochures, and interior and exterior signage must be updated. The memo with the removal instructions was sent on a Thursday and published by several US newspapers. In parallel, Trump is pursuing further major projects in Washington. On Thursday, he announced a new promenade at the White House that is intended to connect the Abraham Lincoln Memorial with the nearby Potomac River. "They want to call it the Trump Promenade," Trump said. When asked if he actually wanted the name, he replied, "I don't know if I want it, but it's going to be beautiful." The Lincoln Memorial houses a marble statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln, who was president during the Civil War from 1861 until his assassination in 1865; the memorial is one of the most visited sights in the US capital. ## Further Construction Projects in Washington Furthermore, Trump plans to erect a huge triumphal arch on the other side of the Potomac, which is to be almost three times as high as the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and about one and a half times as high as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Not far from there, Trump also had the historic East Wing of the White House demolished to build a ballroom in its place, which is scheduled to be completed in 2028. Trump has already had his name put on a number of buildings, including the Peace Institute in Washington. The report about the removal of Trump's name from the Kennedy Center was broadcast on Deutschlandfunk on June 5, 2026. The report was also published by the APA news agency on the same day. The controversy surrounding the renaming is set against the backdrop of a broader debate about government influence on cultural institutions. Critics see the renaming and planned construction projects as an attempt to politically reshape the capital's public image. Supporters argue that private donations and political support make such projects possible in the first place. The Kennedy Center itself has not yet publicly commented on the ongoing changes. There is also no information beyond previous reports regarding possible program changes under the leadership of Richard Grenell.

Court Orders Removal of Trump's Name from Kennedy Center

Background of the Renaming

Deadline and Implementation

Further Construction Projects in Washington

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