Kennedy Center board votes to restore Trump's name on building

The board of trustees at the Kennedy Center has voted to reinstate President Trump's name on the exterior of the performing arts center. This decision comes more than two months after a federal judge ordered its removal, citing violations of federal law.

“

Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump

The board, which reportedly includes many allies appointed by Mr. Trump, chose to add the phrase "Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump" to the formal name, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This marks a second effort to place the president's name on the building's facade.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had previously ruled in May that renaming the center after both Kennedy and Mr. Trump contravened the federal law that established the organization. He also blocked the center's plan to close for renovations until 2028, although the institution had indicated it was still considering a partial or full closure.

“

a transparent effort to circumvent the Court's ruling, and flies in the face of the statutes that Congress passed.

Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who sits on the center's board, called the latest vote "a transparent effort to circumvent the Court's ruling, and flies in the face of the statutes that Congress passed." Her attorneys echoed this sentiment, stating, "Today's vote is more of the same, and a show of blatant disrespect to the courts." They added that the defendants must now answer for their actions in court again.

“

Today's vote is more of the same, and a show of blatant disrespect to the courts.

A White House spokesperson, Liz Huston, offered a contrasting view, stating, "Under President Trump's bold leadership, the Kennedy Center is on its way to becoming the finest cultural institution anywhere in the world."

“

Under President Trump's bold leadership, the Kennedy Center is on its way to becoming the finest cultural institution anywhere in the world.