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 at least September 8, allowing additional time for legal arguments. This development comes as opponents of the move express concerns that Trump-aligned board members intend to defy an earlier court order.
In a status report filed Tuesday, opponents stated that members of the Kennedy Center's board "seem intent" on disregarding a previous court order to remove Trump's name. The Kennedy Center's filing indicated no plans to proceed with such actions until after Labor Day, "at the earliest."
Lawyers for Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat and an ex officio member of the board, urged U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper to issue an earlier ruling. They cited "every reason to believe that Defendants will attempt to effectuate some or part of this latest unlawful resolution at the earliest opportunity after September 8."
A recent board meeting, initially expected to focus on renovation options, instead saw renewed efforts to associate Trump's name with the venue. The board passed a resolution to name the plaza in front of the building after Trump and to add his name to the facade, making it read "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump." According to Beatty's filing, the board also agreed to an additional presidential reference if the "Trump Kennedy Center Fund" reached $100 million, which would alter the facade inscription to "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund."
The board also voted to support a two-year closure of the center for renovations. During this period, some signature programming, including the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, would be relocated to off-site venues. The National Symphony Orchestra announced it would perform its upcoming season across six locations in and around Washington.
Previously, in May, Judge Cooper ruled that the letters spelling out Trump's name on the building were affixed illegally and ordered their removal. The administration's efforts to overturn this decision in the courts were unsuccessful. A tarp has since covered the area where the letters were installed, reportedly to facilitate their removal and as part of a system for "water testing and structural repairs to the roof overhang."
Beatty's legal team has raised questions about the integrity of the board's recent vote, echoing concerns previously voiced by Judge Cooper. He had described a March vote to close the building as "ill-informed and seemingly preordained."
Prior to the August meeting, Kennedy Center management presented the board with three options: a complete closure, a partial closure allowing some public access and limited programming, or a highly limited series of phased closures. An analyst from Delta Consulting Group concluded that a partial closure spread over four years would increase construction length and cost, and pose substantial safety concerns. The analyst recommended a full two-year closure to minimize costs, disruption, and preserve the center's reputation.
However, Beatty's lawyers pointed out that board members received materials just two days before the meeting, with some documents appearing to predate Judge Cooper's May ruling and referencing an earlier closure date of July 6. They argued that the August vote to close the Kennedy Center "exhibits the same flaws as the first vote."