A federal judge has denied a last-minute request to keep former President Donald Trump's name on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., clearing the way for its removal.
The decision marks the end of a legal battle over the naming of the iconic cultural venue, which had been a point of contention since the Trump administration. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs, who sought to preserve the name, failed to demonstrate irreparable harm or a likelihood of success on the merits.
The Kennedy Center board had voted to remove Trump's name following his second impeachment trial, citing the need to uphold the institution's nonpartisan mission. The removal process is expected to begin immediately, with officials planning to replace the signage and update official materials.
Critics of the former president celebrated the ruling, while supporters decried it as a politically motivated move. The Kennedy Center, a national landmark, has hosted countless performances and events since its opening in 1971.
The controversy over the naming had drawn attention to the intersection of politics and the arts, with many calling for the center to remain apolitical. The judge's decision is final and cannot be appealed further, according to court documents.
The removal of Trump's name is seen as a symbolic victory for those who opposed his presidency and its impact on cultural institutions.