A photograph shows a double rainbow above the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 2026. This image corresponds with the date that scaffolding was erected to remove former President Donald Trump’s name from the building, following a judge’s order.
In 2025, Trump had the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts renamed to “The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” A judge ruled in late May 2026 that this renaming was illegal and mandated the removal of Trump’s name by June 12.
The appearance of scaffolding on the day of the deadline led many to share claims and photographs of a rainbow above the center. One social media post captured the scene, stating, “MAGICAL. A rainbow appeared over the Kennedy Center as workers removed the president’s name from it.”
The photograph in question is authentic and depicts a real double rainbow visible over the Kennedy Center on June 12, as confirmed by media archives and news reports. The image is available on Getty Images, accompanied by a caption indicating that the rainbows were seen following a storm on June 12, 2026, the same day as the court-ordered deadline for the removal of Trump’s name. The scaffolding used for the removal process is also visible in the image.
Additional photographs from the same day, captured from different vantage points, further document the rainbows alongside the Kennedy Center’s architecture. News reports from The Washington Post describe the atmosphere on June 12 as “festival-like,” with people observing the scaffolding being put up to remove the letters. The report also mentions the “ooohs” and “aaahs” from the crowd as lightning and a double rainbow appeared.
Although scaffolding was erected on June 12, the actual removal of the letters was reportedly delayed until June 13 due to weather. Workers also covered the front of the center with plastic sheeting during the removal process. By June 13, the Kennedy Center’s executive director confirmed to a federal court that the letters were no longer on the building.
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