The Kennedy Center board has pushed back its plans to add President Trump’s name to the building, now set for October 8, after a court order to remove the name in June.

The board’s move comes in response to a federal judge’s warning that the center could be demolished if not repaired, and it’s seeking to reframe its name change from defiance to renovation, with Trump’s contributions cited as crucial for the center’s survival.

Despite the Justice Department’s arguments, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper remains unconvinced, pressing for a temporary order to prevent any renaming while the legal battle continues. Cooper’s skepticism extends to the board’s broader plans, questioning the potential for naming parts of the center after other former presidents.

The legal tug-of-war highlights the ongoing tension between political influence and legal authority, with the Kennedy Center caught in the crossfire of name changes and financial struggles.