Kennedy Center commits to recognizing Trump after taking down his name
The Kennedy Center says it will comply with a federal court order requiring it to remove President Donald Trump’s name from the institution’s title. in late May, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the center’s board exceeded its authority when it added Trump’s name in December, saying congressional approval is needed for such a name change-so Trump-branded signage had to come down.
Kennedy Center leadership stated it is indeed removing the name to satisfy the ruling while continuing to explore legal options to preserve the center’s revitalization and still recognize Trump. The decision came alongside a separate ruling that blocked the theater’s planned closure for major renovations, which Trump had criticized.
The Kennedy Center’s lawyers began directing staff to update official materials, including emails, letterhead, brochures, website pages, and signage, with a June 12 deadline. Trump reacted with disappointment, accusing the judge and “the Radical Left” of wanting the center to fail, and said he plans to work with Congress on future steps.
The Kennedy Center emphasized that it remains committed to recognizing President Donald Trump while facing a court order mandating the institution reverse a name change honoring the president.
A federal court handed down a decision in late May, ruling that Trump’s name must be removed from the Kennedy Center within two weeks, after his name was added to the title in December. Kennedy Center leadership responded that it would comply with the court order but still seek to recognize Trump.
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“We are complying with the court’s order while evaluating all legal options to preserve this revitalization and recognize President Trump’s leadership,” Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, said.
The development comes after U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper on May 29 said Kennedy Center’s board exceeded its authority when it unanimously voted to add Trump’s name to the center in December. The judge said congressional approval is required to change the institution’s name, meaning the center’s signage bearing Trump’s name must be removed. The judge also blocked the theater’s planned closure for extensive renovations, which Trump had warned were badly needed.
The president expressed disappointment after the court decision.
“Judge Cooper and the Radical Left would rather see it DIE than have President Trump transform it into something that everyone could be proud of,” he posted on Truth Social. “We are going to be working with Congress to transfer this failing Institution back to them so they can make a determination as to what to do with it.”
AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE STATE OF THE KENNEDY CENTER BEFORE TWO-YEAR RENOVATION
The Kennedy Center’s lawyers on Thursday began taking steps to remove Trump’s name from all official signage by June 12, in compliance with the court order, according to NBC News and multiple other outlets.
Staff were told in an email from the Office of the General Counsel to “Remove any references to the ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’ or ‘The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,’ and instead revert to ‘The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ or ‘the Kennedy Center’ or ‘the Center.’” The directive also applies to email signatures, letterhead, signage, brochures, and website pages, per the outlet.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the Kennedy Center for more details about the name removal.
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