Donald Trump's name has been removed from the facade of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., following a federal judge's decision to reject an emergency appeal seeking to block the removal.
The work began in the early hours of Saturday, shortly after the performing arts venue missed a federal judge's two-week deadline to remove the words "The Donald J Trump and" from the building's exterior by Friday at 11:59 p.m. local time.
On Friday evening, an appeals court in Washington D.C. rejected an emergency appeal filed by the Justice Department on behalf of Trump and his hand-picked Kennedy Center board members. The appeal sought to pause U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper's order mandating the removal of Trump's name from the building. Earlier that same day, Cooper had denied a last-minute bid by the Kennedy Center to keep his name on the facade.
Crowds gathered at the Kennedy Center on Friday night as workers assembled scaffolding along the building, which had been formally named the Donald J Trump and the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Onlookers cheered workers in hard hats and yellow vests as they prepared to remove the president's name from the marbled exterior, with some chanting "Take it down!"
Many Washington residents have viewed the rebranding of the Kennedy Center as problematic. Carolyn, a 50-year-old retired government worker, expressed her perspective on the naming situation, saying: "Putting his name on everything is right out of the dictator playbook." This sentiment reflects broader concerns among capital residents who see Trump's architectural ambitions as narcissistic and anti-democratic.
The Kennedy Center serves as the national cultural center of the United States and operates as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. As a federally funded institution, the center hosts theater, dance, music performances, and other cultural events. The legal dispute over the display of Trump's name raised questions about the appropriate use of naming rights at federal institutions.
The removal represents a significant moment in the relationship between the Trump name and federal properties. Work to remove the signage continued beyond Friday, with storms initially delaying the removal until Saturday morning. A covering remains in place at the location where Trump's name previously appeared on the building while the Kennedy Center determines what permanent signage, if any, will replace it.
The situation highlights the intersection of politics and cultural institutions, drawing attention to how federal agencies and publicly funded organizations address naming disputes involving controversial figures.