US President Donald Trump has sought to burnish his legacy by getting his name and image placed on everything, from limited edition passports to a Florida airport.
The venue’s board of trustees, which is stacked with Trump allies, reportedly voted to approve a workaround by adding the inscription “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump” to the building. It was not immediately clear how the decision would comply with a federal judge’s order in May that Trump’s name be removed from the facade, as only Congress can change it. The Republican president’s name was quickly added to the facade in large letters above that of Kennedy, spurring the cancellation of shows and plunging ticket sales for remaining events.
The New York Times and The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the proceedings, said the inscription would go directly below the main signage. In mid-June, the center’s Executive Director Matt Floca said it had “removed all physical signage on the Kennedy Center building and grounds” containing Trump’s name. A judge had also blocked that plan, but said it could be reconsidered after further review.
