Trump's Name Removed From Kennedy Center Facade Confirmed by Photos

New photographs have emerged confirming that President Donald Trump's name has been removed from the exterior of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., following a federal court ruling. The images, obtained by CNN, NBC News, and first reported by the Washington Post, were provided by the activist group Hands Off the Arts, marking the first visual evidence of the removal. A large tarp and scaffolding have remained over the area since June 13, obscuring the changes from public view for over ten days.

The removal took place overnight on June 13, complying with a federal judge's order that the Kennedy Center could only be named for John F. Kennedy as a living memorial to the late president. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on May 29 that the board lacked authority to unilaterally rename the building, stating, “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.” The signage had been changed in December to read “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” following a vote by Trump's handpicked board.

Mallory Miller, a former Kennedy Center employee and co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, provided the photos to multiple news outlets. She suggested the tarp's continued presence may be an intentional act to protect Trump's ego. “What is clear to me is the Trump administration does not want to see that building without Trump’s name on the facade before they could go through all their appeals,” Miller said. She added, “Tonight, there is a tarp that is covering the bare marble that these photos reveal to the world. The president does not want you to see them and that’s exactly why they’re important!”

The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why the tarp and scaffolding remained nearly ten days after the removal. While Trump's name has been removed from the exterior, the arts center faces a difficult financial situation, including plummeting ticket sales, artist withdrawals, political controversies, and a diminished staff. The center has requested more time from the judge to comply with deadlines in the ongoing lawsuit as its board explores renovation options.

The building was originally named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by Congress in 1964, following Kennedy's assassination in November 1963. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law in January 1964. Miller emphasized the role of grassroots activism, saying, “Trump thought he could come in and take this crown jewel of arts and culture. We’re fighting back and telling him he can’t.”