A federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center to strip Donald Trump’s name from its building within two weeks, citing a 1964 federal law that bars anyone but Congress from changing the center’s name. The decision came after the Kennedy Center board had planned a two‑year closure, a move the judge blocked for ignoring legal duties and the center’s programming obligations.

Judge Cooper’s Two‑Week Deadline for the Kennedy Center

Federal Judge Christopher Cooper issued the order on a Thursday, giving the Kennedy Center a strict two‑week window to comply. According to the report,the deadline was set to hit before Trump’s birthday weekend, forcing crews to work overnight to remove the name. Cooper’s ruling was grounded in the 1964 federal law that explicitly limits name changes to Congress, a point the judge emphasized when denying a stay request from the center’s board.

Appeals Panel Refuses to Pause the Ruling

A D.C. appeals panel declined to pause Judge Cooper’s order, leaving the Kennedy Center with only hours to act. The panel’s decision was reported as a “thumbs‑down” to Trump’s last‑ditch effort to keep his name on the building. The Justice Department’s request for a 12‑hour extension was denied, citing safety concerns and weather delays that the court deemed insufficient grounds for a stay.

Symbolic Victory for Opponents of Trump’s Naming Rights

The removal of Trump’s name was seen as a symbolic win for critics who argue that the former president’s presence on the iconic performing arts center was inappropriate. Workers spent about eight hours on Friday building scaffolding to remove the letters,and early Saturday crews hung white tarps over the facade to obscure the removal process. The action underscored the legal limits on renaming federal cultural institutions.

Unanswered Questions About the Center’s Future Renovations

While the court allowed renovations to proceed, it cautioned that the board must re‑evaluate any closure plans independently. The source notes that Trump has not clariified why the name change was necessary for the renovations, leaving observers wondering whether the legal batttle was a strategic move to influence the center’s future direction. The Kennedy Center’s next steps remain uncertain as it balances statutory obligations with public expectations.