Outrage as Trump aides move to put his name back on Kennedy Center after court said no
The Kennedy Center board is moving once again to put President Donald Trump's name on the side of the performing arts center — defying court orders.
The Trump-loyal board voted Thursday to inscribe "Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump" beneath the venue's main signage — a workaround to a federal law banning new memorials or plaques at the center, The New York Times reported. The move came shortly after the board also voted to move forward with shuttering the main building for two years of renovations, a plan Trump first floated in February, calling the historic venue "tired, broken and dilapidated."
"The center desires to recognize and honor President Trump's existential and unprecedented contributions to the survival of the center by all legal means," the resolution states.
Both moves now face fresh scrutiny from U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who already blocked an earlier closure attempt after finding the board's original vote "ill-informed and seemingly preordained." Cooper previously ruled that only Congress has the authority to rename the institution, forcing the center to remove Trump's name from the building in June, though it's currently appealing that decision.
The new purported loophole to put Trump's name back on the building earned a swift reaction from political observers on social media.
"Insanity," wrote former CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta.
"My word: just think about how low his self-esteem is that he needs this so badly?" wrote former "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd. "Most human beings would have felt the shame of all this. I know this isn’t a new take. But it doesn’t make it any less sad or pathetic."
Karoline Leavitt’s White House departure sends shockwaves
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is resigning from her position, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Wednesday afternoon.
"Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family," Trump wrote.
Leavitt also shared a statement on social media.
"The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary," Leavitt wrote on X.
Online critics of Trump and his administration reacted on social media.
White House reporter Andrew Egger acknowledged, "Very big deal. Leavitt was very good at what she did--arguably Trump's best flack ever."
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) wrote, "Karoline Leavitt is leaving the White House to spend a little more time...with the truth."
Podcaster Sabby Sabs suggested, "The 'family time' comment is an excuse that unfortunately some will believe."
Activist Alex Cole implied, "When even Karoline Leavitt can no longer lie for you, things have gone terribly wrong."
Former Trump communications director Anthony Scaramucci joked, "Karoline Leavitt lasted 50.7 Scaramuccis. Surprised by this, I thought she was going to last longer."
Watch the video below.
