The Kennedy Center board met last week to discuss restoring Donald Trump's name to the complex. The resolution includes three separate designations: Trump's name will be placed on the front facade below the official name of the center, along with a new line stating, "Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump," and another line reading, "Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund" once a $100 million threshold is met. Additionally, the physical site will be designated as the "President Donald J. Trump Plaza."
The board, chaired by Trump and including several administration figures and Fox News personalities, previously voted to add Trump’s name to the center in December. This led to a lawsuit from Rep. Joyce Beatty, who argued that only Congress could change the center's name. A ruling in May by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper required the removal of Trump’s name from the facade.
In response to the latest resolution, Beatty's attorneys stated that the board appears to be defying the court's decision. They cited a statute prohibiting additional memorials at the Kennedy Center. The center has agreed to postpone any installation of the Trump designations until September 8, pending a ruling from the judge.
A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center did not provide immediate comments. The center's attorneys explained that the tarp covering the facade is necessary for ongoing construction activities and to protect the building's marble facade. Beatty's attorneys have expressed concerns about potential damage to the historic marble during the previous name installation.