Trump loses bid to restore Kennedy Center name

A US appeals court on July 8 rejected President Donald Trump's request to have his name restored to the Kennedy Center facade while his administration and the center's board fight a lower-court ruling.

Trump's name was removed from the Washington performing arts venue last month after District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that only Congress can change the center's name. A three-judge federal appeals panel declined to stay that ruling, saying the removal had already happened and that the appellants had not shown irreparable harm.

The panel also rejected the claim that the Kennedy Center would suffer financial harm without Trump's name, saying the argument was not supported by specific facts or evidence.

After returning to the White House last year, Trump named himself chairman of the Kennedy Center and appointed loyalists to its board. The board voted in December to rename the venue "The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts," and Trump's name was added above Kennedy's on the facade.

Several artists canceled scheduled performances after the change. Trump's name has been removed, but the area remains covered by a white tarpaulin and scaffolding. Cooper has given the trustees until the end of July to explain why the covering remains.