Trump admin appeals Kennedy Center ruling as board seeks last-minute stay on name removal

WASHINGTON, DC: The Trump administration has appealed a federal court ruling requiring President Donald Trump’s name to be removed from the Kennedy Center, while the center’s board voted to pursue a last-minute stay before the Friday, June 12, deadline.

The move comes after US District Judge Christopher "Casey" Cooper ruled that only Congress has the authority to change the name of the national performing arts institution. The administration and the Trump-appointed board are now seeking to prevent the order from taking effect while the appeal proceeds. 

Kennedy Center Board moves to block court-ordered removal of Trump's name

According to people familiar with a private board meeting, the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees voted on Thursday to seek a stay of Cooper’s May 29 ruling. A formal request is expected to be filed on Friday.

The ruling found that references to Trump added to the institution’s name were unlawful because Congress, not the executive branch or the board, holds authority over the center’s official designation. Cooper ordered all references to Trump removed by Friday and also blocked plans to close the venue for a two-year renovation project scheduled to begin in July.

The effort to seek a stay represents a reversal from guidance issued earlier this month by the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel. A June 4 memo instructed staff to use only “The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" or "Kennedy Center" on official documents, including email signatures and letterhead.

Since the ruling, Trump’s name has been removed from the center’s website. Promotional emails sent to members regarding the upcoming Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony also omitted references to Trump.

Rep Rick Larsen (D-WA), an ex officio member of the board, said he opposed the decision to seek a stay. “I look forward to putting these distractions behind us and focusing on supporting the arts and the future of the Center,” Larsen said in a statement.

Trump’s influence over Kennedy Center draws continued scrutiny

The dispute follows significant changes at the Kennedy Center during Trump’s second term. Shortly after returning to office, the Republican leader replaced the institution’s leadership and appointed a new board of trustees, which subsequently named him chairman.

Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell was brought in to serve as president of the center before Matt Floca assumed the role in March.

The board later announced that it had renamed the institution the “Trump Kennedy Center” and added the president's name to the building’s facade. 

The changes sparked criticism from parts of the arts community. Several performers and cultural figures, including actor Issa Rae, musician Bela Fleck, and author Louise Penny, withdrew from appearances. Musician Ben Folds and singer Renee Fleming also resigned advisory roles connected to the institution.

Earlier this month, National Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Jean Davidson departed to lead the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Alongside its vote to seek a stay, the board approved a resolution recognizing Trump’s “commitment to uphold this cherished American institution.”