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Trump's name is poised to be removed from the Kennedy Center

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− By The Associated Press Workers construct scaffolding below the John F.
+ By The Associated Press Protestors wave a U.S.
− Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign on Friday in Washington.
+ and signs as workers prepare to remove President Donald Trump's name from the John F.
− Rahmat Gul/AP hide caption WASHINGTON — The Kennedy Center was running out of options Friday evening to keep President Trump's name on the facade of the iconic performing arts venue.
+ Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Cliff Owen/AP hide caption WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's name remained on the facade of the Kennedy Center early Saturday despite a court-ordered Friday deadline to remove references to Trump from the building and other aspects of the iconic performing arts venue's operations.
− A judge earlier in the afternoon rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to remove references to Trump from the building and other aspects of the Kennedy Center's operations.
+ National The many ways Trump wants to change D.C., from buildings to statues to parks Scaffolding was erected Friday around a section of the building that includes Trump's name, but shortly after midnight, the Kennedy Center asked a judge to extend the deadline until noon Eastern Time on Saturday because of thunderstorms that had swept through the Washington area, causing a delay. In the filing, the Kennedy Center offered assurance that the "removal work is presently ongoing" and would "conclude in the early hours of the morning." A few hours later, workers began covering the scaffolding with tarps. Dozens of people spent hours Friday on the plaza in front of the Kennedy Center taking pictures and cheering occasionally as they broke into chants of "take it down." Rep.
− The institution appealed that ruling, an effort that was also rebuffed Friday evening.
+ Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, an ex-officio board member who sued to have Trump's name removed from the building, was spotted at one point on the plaza.
− National The many ways Trump wants to change D.C., from buildings to statues to parks Scaffolding was erected earlier in the day around a section of the building that includes Trump's name.
+ National Former Kennedy Center curator talks about the venue's future Earlier Friday afternoon, a judge rejected a request to pause the court-ordered deadline.
− After a round of storms passed Friday evening, multiple workers were back at the scene further building out the scaffolding in an apparent effort to prepare for removing the letters referencing the president.
+ The institution appealed that ruling, an effort that was also rebuffed Friday evening.
− Dozens of people gathered in the plaza in front of the Kennedy Center taking pictures and cheering occasionally as workers built the scaffolding.
After ignoring the Kennedy Center for much of his first term, Trump has wielded tremendous influence over the venue during his return 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.
− National Former Kennedy Center curator talks about the venue's future In his ruling that only Congress could make changes to the Kennedy Center's name, U.S.
+ Workers wait for the rain to stop before resuming work to remove President Donald Trump's name from the John F.
+ Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. Cliff Owen/AP hide caption In his ruling that only Congress could make changes to the Kennedy Center's name, U.S.
District Judge Christopher Cooper also blocked the administration from closing the cultural and arts venue for major renovations that had been planned to start in July and last for two years. The Kennedy Center's leadership argued in its appeal Friday that the renovation was badly needed and accused the lower court, in terms that seemed similar to Trump's speech patterns, of interfering in the effort. "The District Court is not allowing us 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," according to the appeal.
− "Indeed, total collapse!" Even as the Kennedy Center has fought efforts to remove Trump's name from the building, it has taken steps to comply with Cooper's initial ruling.
+ "Indeed, total collapse!" Performing Arts Trump's name must come off of the Kennedy Center, judge rules Even as the Kennedy Center has fought efforts to remove Trump's name from the building, it has taken steps to comply with Cooper's initial ruling.
− Performing Arts Trump's name must come off of the Kennedy Center, judge rules 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.
+ 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 has dropped Trump's name. And an earlier email sent to members offering ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony came from the Kennedy Center without including Trump's name. Sponsor Message Become an NPR sponsor