Kennedy Center Board Seeks Emergency Stay on Trump’s Name Removal

The Kennedy Center board has taken significant legal action in response to a recent ruling requiring
the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from its signage and official materials. On Friday, the board filed an emergency motion with the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, seeking a temporary block on a lower court’s order while the case is under appeal.

Urgent Request for Administrative Stay

In their filing, the Kennedy Center board requested both a stay pending appeal and an immediate
administrative stay. They argued that the physical alterations to the building should not occur until
the appellate judges have the opportunity to review the matter thoroughly. The board emphasized the
importance of preserving the existing conditions while legal proceedings are ongoing.

As of late Friday afternoon, Fox News Digital reported that signage bearing Trump’s name remained
visible on the Kennedy Center’s facade. Scaffolding had been erected around parts of the signage,
indicating that physical changes were impending. The legal request urges the court to issue an
administrative stay by 7 p.m. on the same day.

Lower Court’s Ruling and Its Implications

Earlier on Friday, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had denied the board’s request to halt
the enforcement of his ruling during the appeals process. He stated that the board had not
sufficiently demonstrated a likelihood of success on appeal or that they would face irreparable harm.

The Kennedy Center board contended that the removal and potential reinstallation of signage would
incur costs that could not be reclaimed should they ultimately succeed in their appeal. Additionally,
they argued that such a removal could damage fundraising efforts and create confusion among the
public, especially if changes were made again following a favorable ruling from the appeals court.
The motion also raised significant questions about the authority of the board and whether Rep.
Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, had the standing to initiate the lawsuit.

Background of the Legal Dispute

This latest legal maneuver stems from Judge Cooper’s ruling on May 29, which stated that Congress,
not the Kennedy Center board, holds the authority over the institution’s name. The judge ordered
that Trump’s name be removed from physical signage, digital materials, and official branding, giving
the Center 14 days to comply.

In his detailed opinion, Cooper asserted that the Kennedy Center’s governing statute “makes crystal
clear” that it should remain named after President John F. Kennedy and cannot be unilaterally renamed
by board action. He concluded that only Congress has the power to alter the designation of the
institution.

The lawsuit was filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty, who holds an ex officio position on the Kennedy Center
board. Following Cooper’s ruling, the board expressed its intention to appeal the decision.

Responses to the Board’s Legal Strategy

Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi remarked following the ruling that the
board is committed to ensuring the Trump Kennedy Center is preserved as a national cultural landmark
for all Americans.

“We will review the decision carefully; though the reality remains — the Center requires an urgent and
significant restoration — a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges,” Daravi stated. Moreover,
she noted that $257 million secured during Trump’s presidency and approved by Congress underscores the
critical need for restoration efforts.

Beatty, in a statement praising the ruling, emphasized that the Kennedy Center “belongs to the
American people, not to Donald Trump.”

The Future of Trump’s Name at the Kennedy Center

Trump’s name was added to the Kennedy Center in December following a unanimous decision by the board.
The signage reflecting this change was installed shortly thereafter, placing Trump’s name prominently
above the existing Kennedy Center lettering.

As of Friday afternoon, the appeals court had not issued a ruling on the emergency request, leaving
the status of Trump’s name on the building unclear as the compliance deadline looms.

The emergency appeal seeks to maintain the current status while the D.C. Circuit considers the board’s
wider appeal of Cooper’s ruling. Both the White House and a spokesperson for the Kennedy Center have
yet to respond to media inquiries regarding the ongoing legal situation.