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Work has begun in Washington, D.C., on removing President Donald Trump’s name from the facade of the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts after a court ruled that the renaming was unlawful.
A white covering was seen draped over much of the building’s exterior signage on Saturday, while construction noise echoed from inside the structure as onlookers, including morning joggers, paused to watch the process.
The development follows a court decision rejecting a last-minute attempt by the Kennedy Centre’s board to stop the removal, dealing a setback to efforts tied to Trump’s push to have his name displayed across public institutions since his return to the White House.
On Friday night, crowds had gathered outside the venue, with some cheering as scaffolding was erected in preparation for the removal, while others followed the process via livestream.
Kennedy Centre Executive Director Matt Floca said the operation was briefly delayed due to safety concerns linked to thunderstorms, adding that the work was expected to be completed in the early hours of the morning.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had earlier ordered that Trump’s name be removed from the building by Friday, ruling that the renaming of the institution was not legally valid and that only Congress has the authority to change its name.
In his ruling, the judge directed that the president’s name be taken off the marble facade and all related materials within 14 days.
The Kennedy Center had already removed Trump’s name from its website earlier in the week.
Cooper later dismissed a request for a temporary stay of his order, stating that the public interest is not served by allowing unlawful government action to continue.
He also blocked a separate attempt to shut down the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation period scheduled to begin in July.
Following the ruling, Trump expressed anger and said he was stepping away from control of the institution, which he had previously taken over by appointing himself chairman at the start of his second term.
The center’s board, which had been reconstituted with Trump allies, had earlier approved the renaming of the venue to “Trump Kennedy Center,” with his name displayed in large lettering above that of John F. Kennedy.
Several artists reportedly withdrew from scheduled performances after the controversy emerged.
The Kennedy Center joins other institutions where Trump’s name or imagery has been prominently displayed or reintroduced.
