Kennedy Center Seeks Extension to Remove Trump's Name Amid Deadline

WHO:

ABC News - President Donald Trump, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, Department of Justice

Deadline - Kennedy Center

WHAT:

ABC News - The Department of Justice requested a 12-hour extension to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center.

ABC News - A federal appeals court denied the DOJ's request for an administrative stay of a court order requiring the removal of Trump's name.

ABC News - Trump's name has already been removed from the Kennedy Center's website and YouTube page.

Deadline - The Kennedy Center stated that the removal of Trump's name may not happen until early Saturday morning.

WHERE:

ABC News - Washington, D.C., at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

WHEN:

ABC News - The deadline for removing Trump's name was midnight Friday.

ABC News - The government requested the extension until noon on June 13, 2026.

ABC News - Judge Cooper gave the Trump administration 14 days to remove references to Trump's name from the Kennedy Center.

WHY:

ABC News - The government cited thunderstorms in the District of Columbia that presented safety concerns for workers as the reason for the delay.

ABC News - The Trump administration argued that removing Trump's name would stall fundraising, prevent repairs, and confuse the public.

HOW:

ABC News - The Trump administration filed a notice of appeal to challenge the ruling that found the attempt to rename the Kennedy Center illegal.

ABC News - Crews were seen on scaffolding near the part of the Kennedy Center bearing Trump's name, indicating ongoing work to comply with the court order.

(UPDATED June 13, 2026 08:07 UTC)

The Department of Justice has requested a 12-hour extension to remove President Trump's name from the Kennedy Center, but a federal appeals court has denied this request, meaning the removal must proceed as ordered. Trump's name has already been taken off the Kennedy Center's website and YouTube page, although the actual physical removal may not occur until early Saturday morning, with a deadline set for noon on June 13, 2026. The government cited thunderstorms in Washington, D.C., as a safety concern for workers, while the Trump administration argued that the removal could hinder fundraising efforts and create confusion among the public.