Watch: Workers begin removing Trump’s name from Kennedy Center on judge’s order | Today’s news
Workers began removing US President Donald Trump’s name from the exterior of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday after a federal court ruled that renaming the landmark was illegal.
According to the AP, the operation began in the US capital hours after a judge rejected a last-ditch attempt by the Kennedy Center’s board of directors to stop the removal, clearing the way for workers to take down signs bearing Trump’s name.
The development represents a significant setback for Trump’s efforts to place his name on top public institutions upon his return to the White House.
Work begins under the cover of awnings
On Saturday morning, a large white awning hid most of the work on the building’s exterior.
Loud noises could be heard from under the cover as crews worked to remove the markings.
The activity attracted the attention of passers-by, with runners and visitors stopping in front of the art center to watch the operation unfold.
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The work was originally expected to take place overnight, but was delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
According to Kennedy Center Executive Director Matt Floca, “thunderstorms that created safety concerns for workers” slowed the process.
The work was expected to be completed “in the early morning hours,” Floca said in a statement.
Crowds gather to eliminate witnesses
The removal effort generated considerable public interest.
On Friday night, a crowd gathered outside the Kennedy Center to assemble scaffolding around the sign.
Supporters of the court ruling cheered at times as preparations continued.
Thousands of people also watched the development via live streams, waiting for the moment when the president’s name was removed from the facade of the building.
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The scene underscored the intense public attention surrounding the dispute, which has become a focal point in a broader debate about politics, public institutions, and presidential influence.
Referee Rules Renaming was illegal
The removal follows a ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper on May 29.
In his decision, Cooper concluded that the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was illegal and said that only Congress has the authority to change the institution’s name.
The judge ordered the administration to remove Trump’s name from the marble facade and all related materials within 14 days.
Earlier this week, the Kennedy Center complied with part of the order by removing references to Trump’s name from its website.
Last minute appeal denied
The legal battle intensified Friday as the Kennedy Center’s board of directors sought a last-minute delay in Cooper’s decision.
The request was denied.
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Following that decision, the center requested a 12-hour extension to complete the removal of the signage.
Cooper rejected the request, writing that the public interest “is rarely served by the ‘persistence’ of ‘unlawful’ government actions.”
The decision ensured that the removal process would continue despite continued opposition from the institution’s leadership.
The renovation plan is also blocked
The judge also temporarily halted another Trump-backed proposal.
Cooper temporarily blocked the president’s plan to close the Kennedy Center for two years of renovations, a project that was scheduled to begin in July.
The legal setbacks prompted a strong response from Trump.
According to the report, the president responded by declaring that he was relinquishing control of the venue.
Trump took control of the Kennedy Center early in his second term by naming himself chairman.
How Trump’s name ended up on a building
The controversy dates back to December, when the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted to rename the venue the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
The board, whose membership has been reshaped by Trump by appointing political allies, approved the change as part of broader changes in the institution’s leadership and direction.
Following the decision, Trump’s full name was installed in large capital letters above the Kennedy Center’s original signage.
The move drew criticism from members of the Kennedy family and sparked legal issues that ultimately led to Cooper’s decision.
Several artists also canceled scheduled shows in protest after the renaming was announced.
A wider debate about Trump’s presence in public space
The Kennedy Center controversy is part of a broader debate surrounding the Trump administration’s efforts to place the president’s name and image in government-related spaces.
According to the AP, the now-defunct US Institute of Peace has been renamed after Trump.
Large banners with Trump’s likeness were also displayed outside the Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture.
Additionally, the administration is seeking to place Trump’s likeness on a proposed $250 bill to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States’ declaration of independence from Britain.
The removal of Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center now marks the latest twist in a contentious legal and political battle that has drawn attention far beyond Washington, with lingering questions about the role of presidential influence in public institutions and cultural monuments.
