Kennedy Center Removes Trump’s Name from Building Following Court Order

WASHINGTON — The Kennedy Center has removed President Donald Trump’s name from its building in compliance with a court order, following an appeals court ruling, while the broader dispute over renaming the institution remains before the courts.
According to CNN, Executive Director Mat Floca confirmed the name was taken down after a judge’s ruling. Workers began the removal on Saturday morning, after staff had covered the front of the building with tarpaulin on Friday.
The order stems from a ruling by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who held that only Congress can authorize a name change for the institution, and directed the removal of Trump’s name from the building and related materials. An appeals court on Friday rejected the Kennedy Center’s request to pause enforcement of the order pending further proceedings.
The Kennedy Center had argued that restoring the original name could confuse the public and potentially affect private donations linked to the renaming. The dispute began after the Kennedy Center’s board voted to name the venue after Trump and add his name to the building’s facade.
The legal challenge is being led by Rep. Joyce Beatty, who welcomed the development and said supporters would continue defending the Kennedy Center’s original identity. Further legal arguments are expected later this month.