Court Upholds Ruling to Remove Trump's Name from Kennedy Center

A US appeals court has once again rejected the Kennedy Center's plea to retain President Donald Trump's name on the building, upholding a previous federal judge's decision. Scaffolding has already been erected around the area where Trump's name is displayed, signaling that its removal is imminent. The ruling came as a federal judge denied a request for a stay on the earlier verdict.

Federal Judge Christopher Cooper determined that only the US Congress has the authority to alter the official name of the Kennedy Center. He also blocked the government from closing the arts venue for a large-scale renovation project, scheduled to begin in July and last approximately two years. The Kennedy Center's leadership argued that the renovations are essential due to the severe deterioration of many facilities, citing risks of falling steel beams and parking garage ceilings that could lead to catastrophic collapse.

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Only Congress has the authority to change the official name of the Kennedy Center.

Despite its continued opposition to removing Trump's name, the Kennedy Center has begun complying with the court's order. An internal memo dated June 4 instructed staff to use the official name, "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" or "The Kennedy Center," in all official communications. The center's website has also removed Trump's name, and emails regarding an upcoming awards ceremony were sent without mentioning the former president. Trump's influence over the Kennedy Center significantly increased after his return to the White House for a second term, leading to the replacement of the old leadership with a new board and his subsequent election as chairman, which then led to the controversial naming of the building.

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Some steel beams and parking garage ceilings are severely rusted, posing a risk of falling and endangering people, and could even lead to a 'complete collapse'.