Lead

A US appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump's name must remain off the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts while the organization appeals an earlier ruling that found the name change illegal, as reported by Al Jazeera. The decision by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied the Trump administration's request to pause the lower court order in a lawsuit brought by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, a Kennedy Center board member.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera and The Guardian – World focus on different aspects of the story. Al Jazeera's coverage centers on the legal ruling and its implications, noting that Trump's name was removed from the center's facade and signage last month after a judge ordered its removal and blocked Trump's plans to close the center for renovations. The Guardian's coverage emphasizes the atmosphere at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony, where performers and attendees reacted to Trump's involvement with the Kennedy Center.

Key Claims

  • A US appeals court ruled that Trump's name must remain off the Kennedy Center while the organization appeals an earlier ruling that found the name change illegal, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • The court denied the Trump administration's request to pause the lower court order in a lawsuit brought by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, a Kennedy Center board member, according to Al Jazeera.
  • The Kennedy Center's board of trustees, led by Trump, argued that the removal of Trump's name would impede fundraising efforts, but the judges found that claim came without the support of specific facts or evidence, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • The Mark Twain Prize ceremony featured jokes and comments about Trump's involvement with the Kennedy Center, as reported by The Guardian – World. Woody Harrelson said, "Finally, an award for my dear friend – ironically at the Trump Kennedy Center. No, all right, we fixed that."
  • Jay Leno commented on the red carpet, "This is funny to me. It's not war, it's not antisemitism, it's not racism – it's vanity. It's so silly, it's like high school with money. Covering the name now – hilarious! It's high school. 'I'll show them, I'll cover the name!'"
  • Whitney Cummings quipped, "I'm just glad we all celebrated Bill tonight, even though Trump is now the board chair of this venue. He actually does have a lot of power here and he has a say what productions go on here, so enjoy this fall's three-month run of White Hamilton."
  • The ceremony drew an unusual mix of Democrats and Republicans, Trump officials and members of the public in liberal Washington, as described by The Guardian – World.

Perspectives

Trump Administration / Kennedy Center Board: The board of trustees, chaired by Trump, argued that removing Trump's name would impede fundraising efforts, a claim the appeals court found unsupported by specific evidence.

Representative Joyce Beatty: The Democratic congresswoman and Kennedy Center board member, who brought the lawsuit, said in a statement, "Today's ruling again affirms that this administration's efforts to rename the Kennedy Center were unlawful. His name no longer desecrates this sacred memorial, which belongs to the American people."