The Kennedy Center\u2019s lawyers on Thursday directed staff at the iconic venue to remove President Donald Trump\u2019s name from all official signage to comply with a federal judge\u2019s order from last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Staff were told in an email from the Office of the General Counsel to \u201cRemove any references to the \u2018Trump-Kennedy Center\u2019 or \u2018The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,\u2019 and instead revert to \u2018The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts\u2019 or \u2018the Kennedy Center\u201d or \u2018the Center.\u2019\u201d The directive also applies to email signatures, letterhead, signage, brochures and website pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Court ruled that the Board acted beyond its authority in adding President Trump\u2019s name to the Center and gave the Center 14 days from May 29 to remove all references to the Center being named for anyone other than John F. Kennedy,\u201d the letter obtained by NBC News states. It gives a June 12 deadline for compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The directive comes after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled last week that the president\u2019s handpicked board lacked the authority to change the Kennedy Center\u2019s name when it voted in December to add Trump\u2019s name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A day after the board\u2019s vote last year, the longtime Washington landmark on the shores of the Potomac River donned Trump\u2019s name on its facade. As of Thursday afternoon, Trump\u2019s name remains on the Kennedy Center exterior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cooper last week also weighed in on the board\u2019s March decision to close the Kennedy Center for two years to complete $250 million in renovations beginning in July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The judge said the decision to temporarily shutter the center was based \u201con an insufficient, one-sided presentation of information and neglected to consider the full range of its statutory obligations.\u201d His order last week did not prohibit the Kennedy Center board from voting to close the building for a period of time, but ordered it to use proper protocols in reaching a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump has expressed great interest in the Kennedy Center since he took office for a second term. He has been involved with the center\u2019s programming and events, including canceling some performances and introducing others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He teased the prospect of adding his name to the building last August in a post on Truth Social, months before the board\u2019s vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n