Deadline Looms for Trump Name Removal at Kennedy Center

Workers began constructing scaffolding beneath the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign on Friday in Washington. The action was prompted by legal and administrative challenges concerning the presence of former President Donald Trump’s name on the venue.

A court ordered that references to Trump be removed by the end of the day Friday. However, an appeal to delay this order was rejected earlier in the afternoon by a judge. Despite the scaffolding’s setup, Trump’s name remained on the building as of 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Concurrently, storms with lightning affected the area, complicating matters for workers.

The Kennedy Center faced pressure due to Trump’s significant influence since re-entering office. Shortly after beginning his second term, Trump replaced the former leadership and was installed as chairman of the board, which then added his name to the building.

Judge Christopher Cooper decreed that altering the Kennedy Center’s official name was a Congressional matter. His ruling also halted planned extensive renovations slated for July, which were set to last two years. The Kennedy Center filed an appeal asserting the necessity of these renovations, citing potential structural risks such as deteriorating beams and parking garage ceilings.

Despite efforts to retain Trump’s name, the Kennedy Center has made several changes in response to the court’s ruling. The Center’s Office of General Counsel issued a memo on June 4 stipulating that official documents like email signatures and letterhead should refer to the venue simply as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.” Additionally, Trump’s name has been removed from the Center’s website. Invitations for the upcoming Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony also omitted Trump’s reference.