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‘Snowflake’: Donald Trump's Kennedy Center tarp cover-up sparks criticism

‘Snowflake’: Donald Trump's Kennedy Center tarp cover-up sparks criticism
‘Snowflake’: Donald Trump's Kennedy Center tarp cover-up sparks criticism Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
By David Mouriquand
Published on
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Donald Trump’s name has been removed from the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. But striped tarps still cover the cultural center, leading to frustration and several accusing Trump of having a “fragile ego”.

It’s been a busy weekend for Donald Trump, with the announcement of a framework deal to end the war with Iran, the World Cup in full swing in the US, the New York Knicks securing their first NBA victory in 53 years, and his 80th birthday celebrations yesterday with the controversial UFC cage fight on the White House lawn.

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"ON NATIONAL CUCUMBER DAY??", joked one X user.

However, there’s one embarrassing element that is literally being covered up: the removal of Trump's name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – the national cultural center in Washington DC.

As the new chairman of the Kennedy Center, Trump decreed that his name should be added to the venue – above that of John F. Kennedy's.

In May, US District Court Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the venue could not be renamed without congressional approval.

Judge Cooper noted that Congress made it “crystal clear” that the building is to be named after former president John F. Kennedy and that it “cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial” based on a “unilateral say-so” from a Trump-appointed board.

He ordered the Trump name removal by Friday 12 June.

Crews erected scaffolding on Friday and the removal was delayed, as a last‑minute attempt by the Trump administration to pause the order was rejected by the judge.

People wait for Donald Trump's name to be removed from the John F. Kennedy Center - 12 June 2026
People wait for Donald Trump's name to be removed from the John F. Kennedy Center - 12 June 2026 AP Photo

Now, Trump's name has been taken down from the front of the Kennedy Center. Not that you could tell...

Workers hung long plastic sheeting from the structure, obscuring the removal of the letters.

Workers install tarps on the scaffolding at the John F. Kennedy Center - Saturday 13 June 2026
Workers install tarps on the scaffolding at the John F. Kennedy Center - Saturday 13 June 2026 AP Photo
A worker removes a letter from Donald Trump's name from the wall of the John F. Kennedy Center - 13 June 2026
A worker removes a letter from Donald Trump's name from the wall of the John F. Kennedy Center - 13 June 2026 AP Photo
The John F. Kennedy Center as it stands
The John F. Kennedy Center as it stands AP Photo

When footage was shared online of scaffolding hiding the lettering removal, the images went viral, with many describing Trump as a “loser”.

“Has there ever been a bigger snowflake in the history of the world than Donald Trump,” asked one X user, while another described the tarp cover-up as “fragile ego on full display”.

Check out some of the reactions below:

As of writing, the striped tarps are still blocking the view of the now-Trumpless Kennedy Center.

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