Workers began removing President Trump’s name from the facade of the Kennedy Center on Friday, following a court ruling that dismissed an appeal from the Kennedy Center board attempting to halt the removal. Scaffolding was erected around the iconic Washington, D.C. landmark as crews removed Trump’s name from a sign that had previously read “Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Performing Arts Center.”
The Kennedy Center Board of Directors had approved the name change in December, citing it as acknowledgment of Trump’s efforts in saving the institution from severe financial issues and potential destruction. The following day, his name was prominently displayed on the front door.
However, despite the board’s attempts to prevent it, Trump’s name is now being erased. They had sought both a stay on the appeal and an immediate administrative stay, arguing that the name should remain until reviewed by a higher court. Yet, the Court of Appeals denied their request for an immediate stay.
The board subsequently filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals, which was turned down by a panel of three judges from the D.C. Circuit. The board wanted to put a hold on the enforcement of Judge Christopher Cooper’s ruling, but he declined their request on Friday.
In his ruling, Judge Cooper stated that the Kennedy Center’s name could only be changed by an act of Congress. Trump’s reaction to Cooper’s decision was severe; in late May, he took to Truth Social, criticizing the judge and implying bias due to the judge’s wife’s connections to the Obama administration.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from both the White House and the Kennedy Center regarding the situation.
