The Trump-appointed board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted Thursday to add President Donald Trump's name back to the building's facade, placing the inscription directly below the sign. This decision comes more than two months after a federal judge ordered the name's removal.
Additionally, the board voted to close the Washington, D.C. arts complex's main campus for a $250 million renovation. The facility will be partially closed for up to two years for maintenance and substantial renovation work, although some outdoor programming may continue.
The move to close the venue follows a period three months after a federal judge temporarily blocked a similar closure. The decision to re-add the president's name appears designed to circumvent the judge's previous ruling, potentially setting the stage for a new legal fight over the Kennedy Center's name and future.