Kennedy Center Creates Trump Endowment Amid Legal Battle Over Name Removal
During a board meeting on Thursday, the Kennedy Center created the Trump Kennedy Center Fund to honor President Donald Trump's contributions. This fund will bolster existing private endowments alongside the center's $257 million in federal funding. The establishment of the fund comes after a D.C. District Court ruling that mandated the removal of Trump's name from the building, which was carried out over the weekend. Although an emergency appeal submitted on Friday was denied, the board decided to continue pursuing the appeal. Roma Davari, the Vice President of Public Relations, noted that the fund acknowledges Trump's commitment while addressing the building's deterioration. Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, who initiated the lawsuit regarding the name change, hailed it as a triumph for the rule of law. Trump continues to serve as board chairman, and the White House has not provided any comments.
Key facts
- Kennedy Center establishes Trump Kennedy Center Fund.
- Board voted unanimously to create the endowment.
- Fund supports existing private endowments and $257 million in federal funding.
- Trump's name removed from building over the weekend per court order.
- Administration's emergency appeal to stay injunction was rejected.
- Fund aims to address physical disrepair of the building.
- Court ruled board acted unlawfully in adding Trump's name and planning closure.
- Trump remains chairman of the board.
Entities
Institutions
- Kennedy Center
- Trump Kennedy Center Fund
- CBS News
- The Washington Post
- Getty Images
- White House
- D.C. District Court
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States