Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. A federal appeals court has once again decided not to intervene in the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center. I mean, who doesn’t love a good drama about a building’s signage? The DC US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Trump’s arguments that taking his name off the building would hurt fundraising efforts, and I’m just wondering, did they really think that was going to fly?
The court said the defendants “failed to support this assertion with any specific facts or evidence,” and that they only offered “conclusory assertions” from the Kennedy Center’s Executive Director. Bless their hearts, it seems like they thought they could just make a claim without backing it up. The appeals court also noted that Trump’s team had argued that the Kennedy Center’s bylaws would require it to return contributions unless his name was put back on the facade, but they never made that claim when the case was before the district court.
Circuit Judges Patricia Millet and Robert Wilkins, both appointees of former President Barack Obama, were on the panel considering the emergency appeal, along with Circuit Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee. And guess what? There were no dissents from the new order. I’m shocked, just shocked. Hours before Trump’s name was removed from the building’s exterior last month, workers constructed scaffolding with a tarp obstructing the facade, because, you know, subtlety is not their strong suit.
The Kennedy Center Executive Director Matt Floca affirmed that the letters bearing Trump’s name were removed, but the tarp remains in place weeks later. CNN even obtained images from behind the tarp confirming Floca’s declaration, because we all needed to see the dramatic reveal of a blank wall. US District Judge Casey Cooper has demanded that the institution provide an explanation for the tarp and scaffolding, and I’m just curious, what’s the holdup? Are they waiting for a dramatic finale?
Trump’s name was taken down from the Kennedy Center building after the same panel of appellate judges declined his request for an immediate order to pause its removal ahead of the deadline set by Cooper. Cooper’s May 29 ruling said that Trump’s name had to be removed both from the physical building and from its website, and it also blocked plans to close the center for renovations. A longer-term appeal of that ruling will continue, because this saga is far from over.
A source familiar with the matter told CNN that plans to bolster programming are “coming together” and will be discussed at the next board meeting, expected as soon as next week. The center has added some new music programming at the Millennium Stage throughout the month of July, so if you’re in the area, go check it out. And who knows, maybe they’ll even reveal the mystery of the tarp.
In conclusion, the drama surrounding the Kennedy Center’s signage has been a wild ride, folks. With the appeals court’s decision, it seems like Trump’s name is gone for good, and the center can focus on what really matters – the performing arts. As I finish my coffee, I’m left wondering, what’s next in this saga? Will the tarp become a permanent fixture? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure, it’s been a entertaining show. 🙃
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
