Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Name Inscription at Kennedy Center, Citing Congressional Law
A federal judge blocked the Kennedy Center from inscribing “renovated and restored by President Donald J. Trump” or renaming the grounds “President Donald J. Trump Plaza,” ruling the board’s resolution violates a federal court order and a statute prohibiting new memorials without congressional approval. The Trump-appointed board then voted to close the venue for renovations. Trump threatened demolition if denied naming recognition.
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Trump Threatens to Demolish Kennedy Center Unless He Gets Naming Recognition
President Donald Trump has reiterated a threat to demolish the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts unless he receives naming recognition for his administration's involvement. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate warned the building would become an 'unsafe, decrepit structure' requiring demolition. Trump told reporters the center will 'end up being ripped down' if he does not get the recognition he wants. This follows a federal judge's order blocking the board of trustees, now chaired by Trump, from adding 'renovated and restored by Donald J. Trump' to the building or renaming the campus 'President Donald J. Trump Plaza,' citing a statute that prohibits additional memorials without congressional approval. Judge Christopher Cooper noted the board had previously planned renovation, not demolition, and ordered 30 days' notice if plans change. Trump has also closed the center for 'safety reasons' pending an appeals court review of the ruling, warning that a negative decision would halt reconstruction.
Read sourceTrump Loses Third Legal Battle in a Day as Judge Blocks Kennedy Center Name Change
President Donald Trump suffered his third major legal defeat in less than 24 hours when a federal judge ruled that the Kennedy Center cannot be renamed to include his name. Judge Christopher R. Cooper barred the board from adding 'Donald J. Trump' to the building's facade or renaming the surrounding campus as 'President Donald J. Trump Plaza,' citing that only Congress has the authority to name the memorial for President John F. Kennedy. In response, the Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board voted to immediately close the venue for renovations, claiming the center faces financial and structural collapse without Trump's involvement. Trump posted on Truth Social that the center is in a 'virtual state of collapse' and that he alone can save it. The ruling followed two other legal losses: a federal judge blocked visa restrictions for foreign students and journalists, and the Supreme Court ruled against Trump's mail-in voting scheme. Trump lashed out at his judicial appointees, claiming they were 'not the people I interviewed.' The Kennedy Center, once a premier arts institution, has seen its programming fall apart since White House involvement.
Read sourceKennedy Center Board Votes to Close Venue After Court Blocks Trump Name
The Kennedy Center's board of trustees, handpicked by President Trump, voted on Tuesday to immediately close the historic venue for renovations, minutes after a federal court blocked Trump's latest attempt to place his name on the building. U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ruled that Trump cannot install memorials for himself without congressional approval, calling the board's resolution a violation of a federal court order and statute. The board claims the center faces financial and structural crises, citing a partial ceiling collapse and possible bankruptcy, and argues that only Trump's takeover and name addition can save it. This is the third closure vote since February. Trump has threatened to demolish the center if denied naming rights. Critics note that Trump's involvement has led to artist cancellations, plummeting ticket sales, and dried-up fundraising. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that reconstruction cannot begin until the D.C. Circuit rules on the name, and that a negative ruling would halt renovations entirely.
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Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Name on Kennedy Center, Citing Congressional Law
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts cannot inscribe 'renovated and restored by President Donald J. Trump' on the building, dashing Trump's hopes to have his name placed on the historic institution. U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper wrote that the board's resolution violates a federal court order and a statute enacted by Congress, which prohibits installing additional memorials or plaques in public areas without congressional approval. The Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board had voted to close the center and add Trump's name, circumventing the law. The judge also blocked renaming the grounds 'President Donald J. Trump Plaza.' He declined to rule on an 'endowed by The Trump Kennedy Center Fund' addition, pending a $100 million fundraising goal. Justice Department lawyers argued that blocking the recognition would cause donors to flee and halt renovations, but the judge's order stands, likely ending Trump's efforts to memorialize himself at the venue.
Read sourceFederal Judge Blocks Trump's Effort to Place His Name on Kennedy Center Building
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts cannot inscribe 'renovated and restored by President Donald J. Trump' on the building, dashing Trump's hopes to memorialize his name at the historic institution. U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper stated that the board's resolution violates a federal court order and a statute enacted by Congress, which prohibits additional memorials or plaques in public areas without congressional approval. The Trump-appointed board had voted to close the center and circumvent the law by adding the inscription. The judge also blocked renaming the grounds 'President Donald J. Trump Plaza.' Justice Department lawyers argued that blocking the recognition would cause donors to flee and halt structural rehabilitation. Separately, the article reports that House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested Trump's proposed $5,000 checks to Americans could happen but would take time, amid skepticism from voters and rising national debt.
Read sourceFederal Judge Blocks Trump Name Inscription at Kennedy Center
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts cannot inscribe 'renovated and restored by President Donald J. Trump' on the building, blocking a Trump-appointed board's attempt to circumvent a federal law and court order prohibiting new memorials without congressional approval. U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper also barred renaming the grounds 'President Donald J. Trump Plaza.' The judge declined to rule on an 'endowed by The Trump Kennedy Center Fund' addition, pending a $100 million fundraising condition. Justice Department lawyers argued that blocking the recognition would cause donors to flee and halt renovations, while the article characterizes the effort as a 'useless, narcissistic change.' The ruling appears to dash Trump's hopes of placing his name on the historic institution.
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