Read on PBS NewsTrump's Name Must Be Removed from Kennedy Center by June 12 Following Court Ruling
A memo issued to Kennedy Center staff directs the removal of President Donald Trump's name from all branding and materials by June 12, following a court ruling that the board's decision to add his name was illegal. The ruling also blocked a planned two-year closure for renovations, marking a significant legal and political rebuke.
The name of President Donald Trump must be removed from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by June 12, according to a memo sent to staff on Thursday. The directive follows a federal court ruling that the center's board acted illegally when it voted to add Trump's name to the national arts institution in December. The memo, issued by the center's office of the general counsel, instructs staff to immediately strip the president's name from email signatures, letterhead, and other documents, replacing it with "The Kennedy Center" or "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts." All other materials, including signage, brochures, templates, and website pages, must be updated by the June 12 deadline.
This action stems from a May 29 ruling by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who found that the Kennedy Center Board had "acted beyond its authority" in adding Trump's name to the building. The court gave the center 14 days to remove all references to being named for anyone other than John F. Kennedy. The memo explicitly cites this ruling, stating, "The court ruled that the Board acted beyond its authority in adding President Trump's name to the Center and gave the Center 14 days from May 29 to remove all references to the Center being named for anyone other than John F. Kennedy."
Background of the Controversy
The board of the Kennedy Center voted unanimously in December to add Trump's name to the facility, a decision that immediately sparked legal challenges and public outcry. The Kennedy family publicly condemned the move. Kerry Kennedy wrote on social media that "President Kennedy proudly stood for justice, peace, equality, dignity, diversity, and compassion for those who suffer. President Trump stands in opposition to these values, and his name should not be placed alongside President Kennedy's." The court's decision has now validated these concerns, ruling the rebranding effort illegal.
In response to the ruling, Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center's vice president of public relations, stated, "We are complying with the court's order while evaluating all legal options to preserve this revitalization and recognize President Trump's leadership." This statement indicates that while the center is adhering to the court order, it may consider further legal action to retain the Trump name.
Broader Implications of the Ruling
The May 29 ruling was broader than just the name change. Judge Cooper also found that the board's vote to close the Kennedy Center for two years for renovations was "ill-informed." He emphasized that decisions about future closure should be made in closer consultation with the full board. In response, President Trump backed away from his renovation plans and stated he would transfer oversight back to Congress. The memo sent on Thursday noted that the center is "considering its options" regarding the potential closure during renovations.
The legal and administrative turmoil at the Kennedy Center represents a significant episode in the intersection of politics and the arts. The court's clear directive to remove Trump's name by June 12 marks a definitive rebuke of the board's previous actions. The center now faces the immediate task of rebranding while navigating its future operational and legal strategy. The coming weeks will reveal whether the center seeks to appeal the decision or accepts the court's ruling as final, ultimately shaping the legacy of one of the nation's most prominent cultural institutions.
