The Kennedy Centre's board of trustees has once again voted to add President Donald Trump's name to the performing arts venue, despite a judge's ban on the move earlier this year.
Following an hours-long virtual meeting on Thursday, the board voted to add Trump's name to the building so it would read “The John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J Trump”. The plaza in front of the building would be named after Trump, and most of the space at the venue would be closed for two years to allow for substantial renovations.
Judge's ruling defied
The move sets up a test of US District Judge Christopher Cooper, who ruled in May that letters affixed to the building and spelling out the president's name were added illegally. The judge ordered them removed and blocked a closure that was set to take effect on July 5, saying that an earlier board vote endorsing the move was “ill-informed and seemingly preordained”.
News of the rebrand was shared by Democratic Rep Joyce Beatty, who is also a trustee and one of the few anti-Trump voices on the Kennedy Centre board. In a statement, Ms Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio who is a former officio board member, said: “This latest development is a transparent effort to circumvent the Court’s ruling, and flies in the face of the statutes that Congress passed. I will continue to fight for this treasured national monument.”
Trump's takeover of the board
During Trump's second term, the Kennedy Centre has become an unlikely and highly visible metaphor of presidential power. While he largely ignored the institution during his first round in Washington, the start of his second term saw Trump appoint himself chairman of the board and swiftly oust the institution's leadership, replacing it with a hand-picked majority of loyalists including several cabinet members and numerous members of his inner circle.
His name was quickly added to the building in what Trump's team claimed was a 'unanimous' move. However, Rep. Beatty later claimed that oppositional voices such as hers were muted and she was not allowed to voice her opposition. “For the record. This was not unanimous,” Beatty said at the time. “I was muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition to this move. Also for the record, this was not on the agenda. This was not consensus. This is censorship.” She added: “I think it's important for us to know that this is just another attempt to evade the law and not let the people have a say.”
Name removed in June
Judge Cooper later declared the rebrand was illegal, and the president's name was removed from the building in June. The area where it once stood is now covered by a tarp. A representative for the Kennedy Centre did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
