Kennedy Center removed Trump’s name from website
The Kennedy Center is removing President Donald Trump’s name and branding from its website and signage ahead of a June 12 deadline set by a federal judge. Earlier, the center had labeled itself “The Trump Kennedy Center” on its website and YouTube channel, but staff were instructed to begin making changes promptly as the deadline neared.
The judge, Christopher Cooper, ruled that the name change must be handled by Congress rather than through Trump’s board of trustees, and also blocked a planned two-year renovation. Trump responded to the ruling by criticizing the judge and accusing “radical left” opposition, while the Kennedy Center says it will comply with the court order but is still looking at legal options to both preserve its plans and recognize Trump’s leadership in a less explicit way.
The Kennedy Center has removed President Donald Trump’s name from its website ahead of a Friday deadline imposed by an Obama-appointed judge late last month.
The performing arts institution’s website previously said “The Trump Kennedy Center” at the top of every page.
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The same was done to the center’s YouTube channel, but on its other social media accounts, Trump’s name remained in the title as of Monday afternoon. Additionally, Trump’s name is still on the front of the venue.
All references to Trump in the Kennedy Center’s signage, digital materials, and branding must be removed by June 12. On May 29, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled as such after determining that the name change was made unlawfully.
The lawsuit filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) argued Congress needed to rename the building because it “named the center by statute” following the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Instead of Congress, Trump’s hand-picked board of trustees for the Kennedy Center approved the name change last year. The judge ultimately sided with the plaintiff.
Cooper also blocked the planned two-year renovation that would have closed the Kennedy Center to the public for that period. Trump wanted the lengthy renovation to repair the building, which has suffered water damage and steel rusting over the years.
“I took great pride in taking over a losing Institution, and looked forward to making it into a Great and Prestigious WINNER for Washington, D.C., and indeed, the United States of America,” Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after the ruling. “Unfortunately, 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.”
One day later, Trump slammed Cooper again for halting his Kennedy Center plans while criticizing the judge’s wife, Amy Jeffress, an attorney who represents former President Joe Biden.
“It was all being torn out to be replaced by brand new Carrier Equipment, at the highest standard,” Trump wrote in a lengthy post on examples of lawfare hindering his agenda. “Now that won’t happen anymore because a Judge, whose wife is an anti Trump Hater, and he is too, decided, unprecedentedly, to not allow a desperately needed Building Renovation to go forward.”
Despite the president’s disapproval, Kennedy Center staff were instructed on Thursday to begin removing references to “The Trump Kennedy Center” immediately.
KENNEDY CENTER STILL COMMITTED TO RECOGNIZING TRUMP WHILE ADHERING TO ORDER TO REMOVE HIS NAME
As the Friday deadline approaches, the Kennedy Center is committed to recognizing Trump in a more implicit way.
“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 last week.
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