Trump’s Name Removed from Kennedy Center After Court Ruling

Workers have started taking down Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This follows a federal appeals court ruling denying an appeal to retain the name, which had been added post a unanimous board vote in December.

On Friday, workers set up scaffolding around the iconic Washington landmark. They began the process of removing Trump’s name from the centre. Previously, the sign had read “The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” The Kennedy Center board approved the name addition claiming Trump’s achievements in averting financial trouble and damage to the institution warranted this change. The name was placed on the facade the day after the board’s decision.

The Kennedy Center made several attempts to delay the removal. The board requested a stay pending appeal and an immediate administrative stay, emphasizing the need for a review before taking down the name. However, an appeals court dismissed this request for an immediate administrative stay.

Further, the board filed for an emergency appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Nonetheless, a three-judge panel from the D.C. Circuit denied this request. The board sought a pause in the execution of Judge Christopher Cooper’s directive to remove Trump’s name. Cooper, a U.S. District judge, rejected this on Friday.

Judge Cooper explained in his opinion that any change to the Kennedy Center’s designation must occur through Congress. Donald Trump criticized Cooper’s decision on Truth Social, attributing the ruling to personal biases. Trump highlighted that Cooper’s wife, Amy Jeffress, had represented prominent Trump critics during her tenure at the Department of Justice under the Obama administration.

For more information or commentary, Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Kennedy Center.