Kennedy Center delays Trump name restoration until after Labor Day
Kennedy Center won't restore Trump's name before Sept. 8 amid court battle over board's actions.
The Kennedy Center has informed a federal court that it will not attempt to restore President Donald Trump's name to the building's facade before September 8, as a legal dispute over the performing arts venue's direction intensifies.
In a status report filed late Tuesday, the center said it would hold off on any such move until after Labor Day "at the earliest" to allow time for legal arguments. The filing came in response to concerns raised by opponents, including Representative Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex officio board member, who accused the Trump-aligned board of seeking to defy an earlier court order.
Beatty's lawyers pressed U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper for an expedited ruling, arguing there is "every reason to believe" the board will attempt to implement the latest resolution as soon as possible after September 8.
The dispute stems from a board meeting this month where members voted to name the plaza in front of the building after Trump and add his name to the facade, reading "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump." The resolution also included a provision to add a further reference to the president if the Trump Kennedy Center Fund reached $100 million, which would change the facade to include "Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund."
The board also approved a two-year full closure for renovations, with signature events like the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize moving to off-site locations. The National Symphony Orchestra has already announced it will split its upcoming season across six venues in the Washington area.
In May, Cooper ruled that the letters spelling out Trump's name were added illegally and ordered their removal. The administration's attempts to overturn that decision have failed. A tarp currently covers the area where the letters once hung, and the center has not committed to removing it, saying it is needed for water testing and structural repairs.
Beatty's lawyers have questioned the legitimacy of the board's recent vote, echoing Cooper's earlier criticism of a March vote to close the building as "ill-informed and seemingly preordained." They noted that board materials were provided only two days before the meeting and that some documents appeared to predate Cooper's May ruling.
The center defended its decision, citing a Delta Consulting Group analysis that recommended a full two-year closure to minimize costs and disruptions, while preserving the venue's reputation. Beatty's lawyers, however, argue the latest vote "exhibits the same flaws as the first vote."