The Kennedy Center has informed a federal court that it will not reinstate President Donald Trump's name on the building's facade before at least September 8, as a new legal dispute unfolds regarding the performing arts venue's future.
In a status report filed late Tuesday, opponents of the move stated that members of the Kennedy Center's Trump-aligned board "seem intent" on disregarding a previous court order that mandated the removal of the Republican president's name from the building. The Kennedy Center indicated it would not proceed with these plans until after Labor Day "at the earliest" to allow time for legal arguments.
Lawyers representing Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio who serves as an ex officio member of the board, urged U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper to issue an earlier ruling. They argued there is "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."
Board Actions and Name Addition
A board meeting earlier in August, which was anticipated to primarily address options for closing the Kennedy Center for renovations, instead saw another push to attach Trump's name to the building. This is part of a wider effort by the president and his supporters to leave a lasting mark on the nation's capital.
The board passed a resolution to name the plaza in front of the building after Trump and to add his name to the venue's facade. The inscription was intended to 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 include an additional reference to the president if the Trump Kennedy Center Fund reached $100 million. In such a scenario, the facade would read "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund."
In addition to the naming resolutions, the board voted to support a two-year closure for renovations. During this period, some of the institution's prominent programming, such as the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, would be held at off-site locations. The National Symphony Orchestra announced this week that it would divide its upcoming season among six venues in and around Washington.
Legal History and Tarp Controversy
In May, Judge Cooper ruled that the letters spelling out Trump's name, which had been affixed to the building, were added illegally and ordered their removal. The administration was unsuccessful in persuading courts to overturn this decision. Since then, a tarp has covered the area where the letters were formerly installed, a situation that has frustrated those seeking to remove the president's name from the building. The Kennedy Center has not committed to removing the tarp, stating it is in place to facilitate the removal of Trump's name and is part of a broader system required for "water testing and structural repairs to the roof overhang."
Concerns Over Board Votes
Beatty's lawyers have questioned the integrity of the board's August vote, echoing concerns previously raised by Judge Cooper. Cooper had previously described a March vote to close the building as "ill-informed and seemingly preordained."
Before the August meeting, the Kennedy Center's management presented the board with three options: a complete closure, a partial closure allowing some public access and limited programming in unaffected areas, or highly limited phased closures for infrastructure needs while maintaining a full programming schedule.
A Delta Consulting Group analyst concluded that a partial closure over four years would increase construction time and costs, leading to significant safety concerns. The analyst recommended a full two-year closure to minimize total costs, reduce programming disruptions, and preserve the center's reputation. However, Beatty's lawyers noted that some documents provided to the board shortly before the meeting appeared to have been created before Cooper's May ruling and referenced a closure initially set to begin July 6. They argued that the August vote to close the Kennedy Center "exhibits the same flaws as the first vote."