US court rules that Trump’s name must stay off Kennedy Center during appeal

A U.S. appeals court has decided that Donald Trump's name must stay off the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts while the organization appeals a previous ruling. This decision marks another blow to the center's board of trustees, with Trump serving as its chairman.

The saga began earlier this year when the center's name was changed to "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." This addition, and the subsequent legal challenges, symbolized Trump's efforts to leave his mark on the nation's capital during his final term.

Last month, a judge had ordered the removal of Trump's name from the center's facade and signage, also blocking his renovation plans. The three-judge panel on Wednesday rejected the Trump administration's request to pause the lower court's order. Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, a Kennedy Center board member who brought the lawsuit, stated, "Today's ruling again affirms that this administration’s efforts to rename the Kennedy Center were unlawful. His name no longer desecrates this sacred memorial, which belongs to the American people."

The panel determined that the board of trustees did not demonstrate how they would suffer irreparable injury if Trump's name remained off the building throughout the appeal. While the board argued the removal could hinder fundraising, the judges found this claim lacked specific evidence. The Kennedy Center has not yet commented.

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Today's ruling again affirms that this administration’s efforts to rename the Kennedy Center were unlawful. His name no longer desecrates this sacred memorial, which belongs to the American people.