The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. has begun removing President Donald Trump's name from its exterior, following a court order. Workers started the process early Saturday morning (June 13), after a federal judge rejected a last-minute bid to delay the removal. The center missed the initial deadline set for Friday night to comply with the ruling, citing delays caused by thunderstorms.

The decision to remove Trump's name came after the U.S. District Court in D.C. ruled that the name must be taken down. The Trump administration had requested a stay on the court's earlier ruling, but the appeal was denied. The appeals court, which included judges appointed by both Trump and former President Barack Obama, did not provide a detailed explanation for their decision.

The Kennedy Center had been renamed the Trump Kennedy Center in December, following a decision by the board of trustees to honor Trump for his contributions to the institution. However, the name change faced criticism from the Kennedy family and sparked a legal challenge. CNN reported that the center's attorneys argued that removing Trump's name could jeopardize private donations, as bylaws require returning funds if the name is removed.

Despite the ongoing legal battle, the center is required to comply with the judge's directive. The removal process began with the assembly of scaffolding and the covering of the signage. As workers removed the letters, a crowd gathered, chanting "Shame!" and "Take it down."

The Washington Post noted that the Kennedy Center had already started reversing the name change in other areas, but kept the letters on the building's front as it sought to delay compliance. The removal of Trump's name marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal and public debate over the center's naming rights and its relationship with the former president.

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