Donald Trump's Name Removed from Kennedy Center Facade

Workers initiated the removal of Donald Trump's name from the facade of the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on Saturday morning. The process began in the early hours, several hours past an initial court-ordered deadline, which was later extended to noon EDT following a request by the Kennedy Center due to delays caused by thunderstorms. The work was conducted under a tarp, obscuring the details from onlookers.

This development follows a May court decision that mandated the removal of Trump's name. His name had been added to the building after he returned to office in January 2025, a period during which he replaced the institution's leadership and appointed a new board of trustees, naming himself chairman. The Kennedy Center, established in 1964, is dedicated to the memory of President John F. Kennedy.

The same court decision that ordered the name's removal also blocked a planned two-year closure for renovations, which was scheduled to commence next month. The Kennedy Center's immediate calendar includes performances of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” and “Bluey's Big Play,” along with Bill Maher receiving the Mark Twain Award for American Humor on June 28. However, few events are scheduled beyond these, and the venue, which has reduced its staff, faces challenges in developing a robust performance lineup.

Trump has expressed intentions to transfer control of the Kennedy Center to Congress and has suggested its potential closure due to public safety concerns. In an unsuccessful appeal, the Kennedy Center's leadership had argued that the court's order interfered with necessary renovations, citing potential structural damage to beams and parking garage ceilings.

In related developments, Trump is proceeding with other projects in the capital, including the construction of a ballroom in place of the White House East Wing, remodeling the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and plans for renovations at a golf course in East Potomac Park. He is also moving forward with a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. Concurrently, the South Lawn of the White House was reportedly transformed into a venue for a UFC match, coinciding with Trump's birthday and celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence.

(Source: Fortune)