Kennedy center removes trump's name amid legal battle

A midnight showdown unfolded at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. as a team of workers diligently removed the name 'Donald J. Trump' from its marble facade. The swift action came hours after a federal judge rejected an emergency appeal by Trump's legal team to block the name's erasure.

Legal battle over the center's renaming

The Kennedy Center's board had voted last December to add Trump's name after he handpicked a new slate of trustees. However, Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the addition was illegal and ordered it removed, deeming the center a 'living memorial' to JFK, not Trump.

Trump's lawyers argued that the center's website and marketing materials already referenced the 'Kennedy Center', so his name was no longer necessary. But Judge Cooper found no evidence the change would cause 'irreparable harm', and denied the appeal.

The dramatic scene on Saturday saw a crowd of over 100 onlookers gather to cheer on the workers and witness the name's removal. Chants of 'Shame!' and 'Take it down!' echoed through the night.