Trump name still on Kennedy Center facade, midnight delays

Even after a court-ordered Friday deadline, President Donald Trump’s name was still on the Kennedy Center’s facade early Saturday morning. The center cited storm delays and told a judge removal work was ongoing, as scaffolding was covered with tarps a few hour

By early Saturday, President Donald Trump’s name was still visible on the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington—despite a deadline set by a court that had expired the previous day.

Scaffolding had been erected on Friday around the section of the building that includes Trump’s name. But shortly after midnight. the Kennedy Center asked a judge to push the deadline to noon Eastern Time on Saturday. pointing to thunderstorms that had swept through the Washington area and delayed work.

In a filing, the Kennedy Center offered assurance that the “removal work is presently ongoing” and said it would “conclude in the early hours of the morning.” A few hours later, workers began covering the scaffolding with tarps.

Outside the center on Friday, dozens of people spent hours on the plaza taking pictures and cheering when they broke into chants of “take it down.” Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio—an ex-officio board member who sued to have Trump’s name removed—was spotted on the plaza at one point.

Earlier Friday afternoon, a judge rejected a request to pause the court-ordered deadline. The Kennedy Center appealed that decision, and that effort was also rebuffed Friday evening.

The dispute has played out against a backdrop of deep changes at the venue. After ignoring the Kennedy Center for much of his first term. Trump has used his influence over the center after returning to office. Just a month into his second term. he ousted the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a board of trustees that named him chairman. Trump’s name was quickly added to the building.

The legal fight traces back to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who said only Congress could make changes to the Kennedy Center’s name. Cooper also blocked the administration from closing the cultural and arts venue for major renovations that had been planned to begin in July and last for two years.

In its appeal filed Friday, the Kennedy Center argued that the renovation was badly needed. It also accused the lower court of interfering with efforts. The appeal warned of potential danger to the public. saying the District Court was not allowing the center “to close in order to properly fix up and repair the Building. including potentially life threatening structural damage like beams and parking garage ceilings that are rusted. and in serious danger of falling onto people below. ” before adding: “Indeed. total collapse!”.

Even as the Kennedy Center fought to keep Trump’s name on the building. it took steps meant to comply with Cooper’s initial ruling. 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 Kennedy Center’s website dropped Trump’s name. An earlier email sent to members offering ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony also came from the Kennedy Center without including Trump’s name.

For many people who gathered on Friday, the tension wasn’t theoretical—it was waiting in plain sight, under the scaffolding that now sat covered with tarps as the revised deadline approached.

Kennedy Center Trump name removal court-ordered deadline Joyce Beatty Christopher Cooper scaffolding tarps Mark Twain Award for American Humor