WATCH LIVE: Scaffolding goes up at Kennedy Center ahead of deadline to remove Trump's name

A judge has refused to halt an order demanding the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center's facade, dealing a blow to the arts venue's last-minute efforts. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper denied the Kennedy Center's request to pause his earlier ruling, which found that Trump's name was illegally placed on the iconic Washington performing arts facility.

Cooper had previously stated that only Congress possesses the authority to alter the Kennedy Center's name. He mandated that all references to Trump be removed by Friday. Despite a late push by Trump's appointed board at the center to keep the name displayed, the judge remained firm, refusing to stay his order.

The Kennedy Center has already started complying with the directive. Internal memos indicate that email signatures, letterhead, and other official documents must now refer to the venue as "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" or simply "Kennedy Center." The center's website has also dropped Trump's name, and recent communications regarding upcoming events, such as the Mark Twain Award ceremony, have omitted any mention of him.

This ruling follows a period of significant influence Trump wielded over the center. After initially paying little attention during his first term, he replaced the center's leadership with a board of trustees shortly after beginning his second term, subsequently being named chairman. The judge's earlier decision also blocked administration plans for major renovations scheduled to begin in July.