Workers begin removing Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center, hours after a court-ordered deadline

Workers began removing Donald Trump's name from the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts early Saturday morning. This action followed a court-ordered deadline that the institution failed to pause despite multiple legal appeals. Scaffolding was erected around the building on Friday, but severe thunderstorms caused a brief delay in the removal process. Crowds gathered at the site throughout the day to witness the event, with some protesters chanting for the name's removal. The legal battle originated from a lawsuit brought by Rep. Joyce Beatty, which challenged the addition of Trump's name to the venue. During his second term, Trump had previously ousted the center's leadership and appointed a new board that placed his name on the building. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that only Congress holds the authority to change the center's name. Additionally, the judge blocked the administration from initiating major renovations that were scheduled to begin in July. While the center has fought these rulings, it has already removed Trump's name from its website and official communications. The site remains under scaffolding as the removal process concludes.