The Kennedy Center board is now in a legal battle over the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from its signage and official materials. On Friday, the board filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, asking the court to delay the enforcement of a lower court’s order. This order requires the board to strip Trump’s name from all references on the building within 14 days. As of late Friday afternoon, Trump’s name still adorned the facade, a clear indication that the situation remains tense.
The board argued that altering the signage and possibly reinstalling it later would incur costs that could not be recovered if they win the appeal. They also noted that removing Trump’s name could complicate fundraising efforts and confuse the public regarding the Kennedy Center’s designation if the name changes again after a successful appeal. As described in their filing, the case raises “significant questions” about the authority of the board and the legitimacy of the lawsuit initiated by Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio.
This legal dispute follows U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper’s ruling on May 29, which asserted that Congress holds the power to name the Kennedy Center and not the board itself. Cooper stated in his opinion that the governing statute of the Kennedy Center is explicit in designating the institution’s namesake as President John F. Kennedy, with no room for unilateral action from the board.
In light of the ruling, Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi emphasized that the board intends to appeal. “We will review the decision carefully though the reality remains — the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration — a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges,” she remarked. The board secured $257 million during Trump’s administration, which had already been approved by Congress for restoration efforts. “We remain committed to pursuing every lawful avenue to ensure the Trump Kennedy Center is restored as a national cultural landmark for all Americans to enjoy,” she added.
Beatty, who initiated the lawsuit and serves as an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, expressed satisfaction with Cooper’s ruling. In a statement, she declared that the Kennedy Center “belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump,” positioning the venue as a national treasure above individual affiliations.
As the board awaits the appeals court’s decision on their emergency request, the future of Trump’s name hanging on the facade remains uncertain. The scenario raises questions about the balance of power between congressional authority and the institution’s governance. The emergency appeal seeks to keep Trump’s name visible as the appellate judges consider the broader implications of the board’s appeal. The White House and representatives for the Kennedy Center have not commented on the matter, keeping the public in suspense regarding the resolution of this high-profile dispute.
"*" indicates required fields
