Kennedy Center Board Defies Judge, Moves to Glorify Trump Amid Legal Controversy
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In a move that disregards judicial authority and panders to right-wing revisionism, the Kennedy Center’s board approved a plaque crediting Trump for renovations, openly challenging a federal order to remove his name.
The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in a controversial decision Thursday, approved a resolution to install a plaque beneath the center’s main signage reading “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.” This action, which directs officials to use “all legal means” to implement the inscription, comes as the board also voted to close the venue for renovations. The move is seen by many as an attempt to whitewash Trump’s legacy and elevate his name in a cultural institution, despite widespread public opposition.
Previously, a federal judge had ordered the removal of Trump’s name, rightly asserting that only Congress has the authority to alter the institution’s designation. The center complied by removing the lettering in June and is currently appealing the ruling, signaling a reluctance to respect the judiciary’s decision. The board’s latest maneuver appears to exploit a loophole in the Kennedy Center’s governing statute, which prohibits additional memorials or plaques in public areas, further undermining the rule of law and democratic norms.