Kathmandu— The Kennedy Center board has reversed course and approved a plan to prominently feature Donald Trump’s name at the Washington arts venue, just two months after it was removed following a federal judge’s ruling. The board, aligned with the former president, initially voted last December to rename the institution after both Trump and John F. Kennedy, adding his name to the building's facade. After U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper determined in May that the board lacked the authority to change the congressionally established name, signage was taken down in June. This latest decision avoids a formal renaming by designating an inscription and plaza instead.

Circumventing the Court Order

Rather than formally renaming the Kennedy Center after Donald Trump, the board voted to add an inscription below the existing sign that reads “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.” The physical site will also be designated as “the President Donald J. Trump Plaza,” according to reports from Axios. This approach appears designed to bypass the restriction established by Judge Cooper, which stated only Congress has the authority to change the institution’s official name.

Renovation Plans Underway

Alongside the naming decision, the board approved a two-year closure of the Kennedy Center's main venue for extensive renovations. The overhaul will focus on upgrading aging infrastructure, restoring the building’s marble facade, and modernizing its halls and theaters. These improvements are intended to elevate the Kennedy Center as a leading cultural institution.

White House Response

White House spokeswoman Liz Huston praised the decision, stating to Axios, “Under President Trump’s bold leadership, the Kennedy Center is on its way to becoming the finest cultural institution anywhere in the world.” She previously defended similar naming efforts as recognition of policy achievements, referencing examples like the TrumpRx prescription drug website and historical precedents such as Washington D.C. and the Hoover Dam being named after presidents while they were still in office.

Congressional Pushback

The ongoing saga has prompted legislative action in Congress. Senator Bernie Sanders and several Democratic colleagues introduced the Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego (SERVE) Act in January, aiming to prevent federal buildings and assets from being named after sitting presidents. However, the bill currently remains stalled at the committee stage.

The Kennedy Center is expected to begin renovations soon, with a projected two-year closure of its main venue while the new inscription and plaza designation are implemented.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.