Kennedy Center Board Seeks to Delay Removal of Trump’s Name

The Kennedy Center Board has requested a federal appeals court to temporarily halt a judge’s order that mandates the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the facility’s signage and official documents. This request follows the observation that, as of late Friday afternoon, the name still appeared prominently on the building’s exterior.

In an emergency motion filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the board contended that no alterations should take place on the building until the court had a chance to review the matter. They are seeking both a stay pending appeal and an immediate administrative hold.

The motion is asking for this administrative suspension order to be issued by 7 p.m. on Friday.

As of 5:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Trump’s name was still visible on the Kennedy Center, accompanied by scaffolding set up near part of the sign.

Earlier on Friday morning, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper rejected the board’s plea to pause enforcement of the order during ongoing appeals. He noted that the defendants did not prove their case convincingly regarding the likelihood of success on appeal or potential irreparable harm.

In their emergency filing, the Kennedy Center’s board suggested that the removal and possible reinstallation of the signs would incur costs that they couldn’t recover, even if they won the appeal.

They also expressed concerns that removing Trump’s name could disrupt fundraising efforts, leading to public confusion if the name were changed again after a successful appeal. Additionally, the board’s motion raised questions about the authority of the committee, particularly whether Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) had standing to file the lawsuit.

This legal battle stems from Cooper’s ruling on May 29, which stated that control over the Kennedy Center’s name lies with Congress, not the board. He ordered that Trump’s name be removed from all physical signs, digital materials, and official branding within 14 days.

Cooper noted that the governing laws clearly indicated that the center’s formal name is after President John F. Kennedy, and the board cannot unilaterally rename it.

The justices emphasized that only Congress holds the authority to change the center’s name.

Beatty, who holds a position as an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center Board of Directors, initiated the legal proceedings. Following the May 29 decision, Roman Daravi, the Kennedy Center’s vice president for public affairs, stated that the board intended to appeal.

He conveyed to Fox News Digital that while the center needs extensive repairs, they are committed to exploring every legal avenue to restore the Trump Kennedy Center as a national landmark.

In a statement praising the ruling, Beatty asserted that the Kennedy Center is a national institution belonging to the American people, not Donald Trump.

Trump’s name was added to the venue in December, following a unanimous board decision, with a new sign installed prominently above the existing Kennedy Center text.

As of late Friday afternoon, the appeals court had yet to issue a ruling regarding the emergency request, leaving some uncertainty about whether Trump’s name would remain beyond the compliance deadline. The emergency appeal aims to keep the current circumstances intact while the court considers the broader appeal concerning Cooper’s decision.

Representatives from both the White House and the Kennedy Center have not responded to inquiries for comments.