In new filings, Kennedy Center says it won't try to put Trump's name on facade until Sept. 8

In new filings, Kennedy Center revisits Trump name on facade Lawyers for Rep.

Key points

• In a status report submitted late Tuesday to a federal court, the Kennedy Center outlined its intends to put President Trump's name back on the arts complex.
• In new filings, Kennedy Center notes it won't try to put Trump's name on facade until Sept.
• The scaffolding and tarp covering the facade of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
• Kennedy Center Board votes again to shut main building down – and add Trump's name back.

In new filings, Kennedy Center revisits Trump name on facade Lawyers for Rep. Joyce Beatty asked a judge to rule speedily on the complex's renovation and entrance tarp. The National Symphony Orchestra additionally unveiled its new season, away from the Kennedy Center.

In new filings, Kennedy Center notes it won't try to put Trump's name on facade until Sept. 8.

For context, the scaffolding and tarp covering the facade of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. On Aug. 13. The tarp remains one of the questions at the center of a federal lawsuit. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images.

For context, the signage proposed by the center's board would eventually read: "The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump, Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund." The last line would be continued only if the fund reaches $100 million in donations. Additionally, the board is seeking to rename the physical grounds of the arts center "President Donald J. Trump Plaza." The Kennedy Center remarked it would not try to add Trump's name back on the building before Sept. 8.

In its filing, the center additionally argued that the much-discussed tarp that has been covering the signage at the complex's front entrance is a "necessary element of the ongoing construction activities, " and is there in part to protect the marble paneling during the renovation.

In practice, the status report was filed with Judge Christopher R. Cooper, the federal judge presiding over the lawsuit between the Kennedy Center and Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, an ex-officio member of its board. In the same filing, Beatty's lawyers pressed Cooper to produce a ruling before Sept. 8, writing: "There is thus every reason to believe that Defendants will attempt to effectuate some or part of this latest unlawful resolution at the earliest opportunity after Sept. 8. Moreover, Plaintiff is concerned that Defendants already may have damaged the historic marble that lines the facade with their original desecration of the Center's facade by attaching President Trump's name above President Kennedy's."

Beatty's team additionally argued that the tarp is not a construction requirement, contending that the center's board "are maintaining scaffolding and a tarp to cover the Kennedy Center's façade to frustrate the intent of the Court's order that the Center be returned to a memorial exclusively honoring President Kennedy."

Meanwhile, the Tuesday federal filings additionally reveal that earlier this month the board was presented with two different options for a Kennedy Center shutdown prepared by a Virginia-based firm, Delta Consulting Group. One of the options was for a total shutdown of the complex; the other was for a partial shutdown. Beatty's lawyers claim Delta has no experience in arts management. NPR requested comment from Delta and the Kennedy Center, but did not receive an immediate reply.

Since last year, NPR has asked the Kennedy Center repeatedly regarding the experts consulted on this renovation project, but has never received a response. Elements of the Tuesday filing are under seal, including the building intends and the consultant's report.

Separately on Tuesday, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) – which is an anchor tenant at the Kennedy Center, and whose finances are deeply intertwined with the complex itself – confirmed its upcoming 2026-27 performance season. The orchestra will rotate its concerts between six different venues in the greater Washington, D.C. Region.

Meanwhile, the NSO has fallen into a deep financial crisis against the backdrop of a widespread Kennedy Center boycott by both artists and audiences, according to multiple NSO internal sources who are not authorized to speak publicly. The orchestra's funds woes were first noted by The Washington Post.

As they require audiences to put aside their performance-attending routines, venue switches can pose massive uphill battles for arts organizations. In the case of the NSO, nevertheless, performances outside of the Kennedy Center at this point may prove more attractive to prospective concertgoers, even if the venue were to remain open during construction.

Taken together, the developments around in new filings, Kennedy Center says it won' t try to put Trump' s point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.