Kennedy Center Removes Trump's Name Following Court Order

[Anchor]

In the United States, the name of President Trump has been removed from the Kennedy Center, a cultural and arts venue often referred to as a living monument to the late President John F. Kennedy. The center, which had been renamed the "Trump-Kennedy Center" just six months ago, has now reverted to its original name, with the removal process broadcast live online.

Washington correspondent Kim Yong-tae reports.

[Reporter]

On Friday night (local time), crowds gathered in front of the Kennedy Center, chanting for the removal of President Trump's name.

[Chant: Take it down! Take it down!]

Shortly after taking office, President Trump replaced the members of the Kennedy Center's board of directors and appointed himself as chairman.

The board subsequently decided to rename the center the "Trump-Kennedy Center" last December. However, a court ruled that the authority to change the name lies with Congress and ordered the removal of Trump's name from the building's exterior and website by Friday.

[Mark / Kennedy Center visitor: I was appalled when Trump's name was added. I am very glad the court intervened. I wanted to see (the removal) for myself.]

The Kennedy Center filed an appeal, but it was dismissed, and the work to remove Trump's name continued throughout the night.

Some citizens protested, noting that the removal had exceeded the court-mandated deadline and that screens had been installed to obstruct the view.

[This is not democracy.]

[Sloan / AP reporter: It is hard to tell from the outside, but the president's name, which had been on the building, was removed in the middle of the night.]

The process was broadcast live online, but due to large screens, the actual removal of the letters spelling "Trump" was barely visible.

[Joyce Beatty / U.S. Democratic Representative: That screen is typical Trump behavior. He doesn't want the public to see his name being taken down from his vanity project.]

The court also blocked plans to fully close the center for renovations starting next month. However, due to boycotts by artists who opposed the addition of Trump's name, most performances for July have already been canceled.

Reported by Kim Yong-tae | Video by Park Eun-ha | Video Editing by Jung Yong-hwa
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.