Kennedy Center board votes to add Trump's name again

The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has voted to add an inscription bearing President Donald Trump's name to the building's exterior, a move that potentially sets up a clash with a federal judge. The board's decision, confirmed by Democratic U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex officio member, includes changing the facade to read 'The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump.' The board also voted to rename the physical site 'the President Donald J. Trump Plaza.'

A second source familiar with the situation corroborated the decision. The New York Times reported, citing a resolution, that the center wishes to recognize and honor President Trump's 'existential and unprecedented contributions to the survival of the center by all legal means.' The board, reportedly dominated by Trump loyalists, also voted to close the Kennedy Center for two years, according to Ms. Beatty, who has sued the Trump administration and the center over the name change and planned closure.

This latest vote follows a series of contentious decisions regarding the center's naming. The Trump administration initially added his name to the facade in December. However, a judge ordered the removal of Trump's name in May, ruling that the venue could not be renamed without an act of Congress. A federal appeals court subsequently denied the administration's request to keep the name on the building during legal action to restore it. Workers removed Trump's name from the center in June.

The Trump administration had argued that removing the name would negatively impact fundraising and the center's finances. However, the appeals court found these claims lacked specific factual support or evidence. The current board's decision to re-inscribe the name and close the center for renovations appears to defy the previous judicial orders and the appeals court's findings.

“

In its meeting today, the board voted to change the front of the building's facade to read 'The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump,' and renamed the physical site 'the President Donald J. Trump Plaza.'