WASHINGTON — A federal court has rejected the Kennedy Center’s appeal to postpone a judicial order requiring the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the renowned Washington arts venue.
The rejection occurred on Friday. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had previously determined that Trump’s name was unlawfully attached to the famous Washington performing arts center. Cooper concluded that only Congress holds the authority to modify the Kennedy Center’s official designation and mandated that all Trump references be eliminated by Friday.
A June 4 memo to staff from the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel said email signatures, letterhead and other documents must reflect the name as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.”
The performing arts center’s online presence has already eliminated Trump’s name. Additionally, an email sent earlier this week to patrons promoting ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony originated from the Kennedy Center without mentioning Trump’s name.
Following a period of limited engagement with the Kennedy Center throughout much of his initial presidency, Trump has exercised significant control over the institution since returning to the presidency. Within just one month of beginning his second administration, he removed the facility’s existing leadership and installed a personally selected board of trustees that appointed him as chairman.
