The Kennedy Center Board is making a last-minute appeal to prevent the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the venue. Late yesterday, the board filed paperwork requesting a stay of a federal judge’s order, which mandates the removal of Trump’s name from the building and associated materials. The judge ruled that the center violated federal law by adding Trump’s name without congressional approval.
The Kennedy Center has already removed Trump’s name from its website, YouTube account, and marketing materials, but it remains on the building’s exterior. The judge’s order requires the name to be removed from all signage and official materials within 14 days. The center’s spokeswoman, Roma Daravi, expressed confidence that the court will uphold the board’s decision to recognize Trump’s contributions to the cultural center.
President Trump, who announced the addition of his name to the center last year, wrote on Truth Social that he would work with Congress to transfer the institution back to them. He criticized the judge’s decision, stating that he has no interest in continuing what he described as a “hopeless journey into ‘NEVER NEVER LAND.'”
The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by board member Joyce Beatty and other ex-trustees, challenging Trump’s changes and the proposed closure of the venue for renovations. Judge Christopher Cooper, who issued the ruling, emphasized that the Kennedy Center’s name can only be changed by Congress.
The Kennedy Center’s board, led by Trump, had planned a two-year closure for extensive renovations starting July 4. However, the judge blocked the closure, deeming the board’s decision “ill-informed and seemingly preordained.”
Despite the legal challenges, the Kennedy Center continues to host performances, albeit at a slower pace. Upcoming events include the awarding of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to comedian Bill Maher on June 28.
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