A US appeals court in Washington DC has rejected an emergency appeal to pause the removal of Donald Trump’s name from the facade of the Kennedy Center. Justice department lawyers representing the former president and his appointed board had filed the appeal on Friday, seeking to delay a judge’s order that the name be taken down.
US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled last month that Trump’s name had been illegally added to the iconic performing arts venue. He gave officials two weeks to remove it from the building and all branding. “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” Cooper wrote in his May opinion.
The Kennedy Center filed its own appeal shortly before Friday’s deadline, but Cooper denied the last-minute bid. Workers later erected scaffolding around the section bearing Trump’s name, but a thunderstorm halted their efforts, leaving the lettering in place. Onlookers gathered and chanted “Take it down!” as the crew paused.
The legal challenge was brought by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, an ex-officio board member. She opposed the emergency request and appeared outside the venue as a crowd cheered workers. The judge’s order also temporarily blocked a planned $257m renovation that would have closed the centre for two years.
In compliance with the ruling, the Kennedy Center has removed Trump’s name from its website and instructed staff to change email signatures and documents. All references to “Trump Kennedy Center” must be removed by 12 June 2026. Bonnie Berry, a retired events worker, said she had refused to work on the Kennedy Center Honors last year and welcomed the removal, suggesting the letters be auctioned to fund the arts.
