Has Trump's name been removed from the Kennedy Center? Latest update as president's approval rating takes a hit
President Donald Trump’s name will be removed from the Kennedy Center’s buildings and materials by June 12. This follows a federal judge’s decision that the institution’s board violated the law when it decided to rename the center in his honor.
US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board had exceeded its authority. In his decision, Cooper wrote, “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.”
The court concluded that while the board oversees operations and planning, it does not have unilateral authority to alter the institution’s congressionally established name.
Read more: Trump-Kennedy Center row: What Judge Christopher Cooper said in latest order – Top quotes
What did the memo say?
The memo was sent from the center’s general counsel on Thursday.
According to a memo, the Kennedy Centre staff were instructed to eliminate references to Trump from signs, brochures, websites, furniture, letterhead and other official materials. Employees were also directed to update email signatures and official communications immediately.
The memo also revealed that Kennedy Center officials are evaluating their options regarding a planned closure linked to a $257 million renovation project. Cooper, in his ruling, stressed that the court’s decision does not stop the board from independently determining if improvements or temporary closure are still required.
Cooper wrote, “It simply holds the Kennedy Center Board to certain minimum requirements imposed by law. Beyond that, the Court will let the parties play on.”
Read more: ‘I have no interest’: Trump abandons Kennedy Center renovation after court setback, calls it ‘failing institution’
Trump’s approval rating: Most unpopular president
The Kennedy Center renaming legal battle arrives at a time when the Iran conflict and persistently high prices have caused Trump’s net approval rating to drop to its lowest position ever, per a poll by The Economist.
Trump’s -25 net approval rating “makes him the most unpopular president since our survey started in 2009,” according to The Economist, which tracks presidential popularity using data from YouGov.
According to the Economist’s analysis, his approval was lowest when it came to inflation and pricing, with a net rating of -43 per cent. The average price of gas in the United States was more than $4 per gallon on Thursday, up from about $3 per gallon at this time last year, the data from AAA reflects.
In other areas, including employment and the economy, foreign policy, immigration, and crime, he has done relatively better.
Although the Kennedy Center dispute is not directly connected to Trump’s approval numbers, Trump’s already declining likability is negatively impacted by the Kennedy Center scandal.
Reports indicated that new signage bearing Trump’s name appeared almost immediately after the board vote. Justice Department lawyers later acknowledged in court filings that the speed of the installation suggested preparations may have occurred before the official vote took place, according to reporting by The Washington Post.