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Photos show funerals in Lebanon for Hezbollah fighters, civilians killed before ceasefire

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Photos show funerals in Lebanon for Hezbollah fighters, civilians killed before ceasefire
News

News

Photos show funerals in Lebanon for Hezbollah fighters, civilians killed before ceasefire

2026-04-22 03:34 Last Updated At:03:42

KFAR SIR, Lebanon (AP) — Funerals in southern Lebanon are burying fighters from the militant Hezbollah group, Lebanese civilians and paramedics killed in Israeli strikes before the latest Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire took effect.

In villages like Kfar Sir, mourners gather in large processions, carrying coffins draped in flags and portraits of the dead. The scenes reflect both personal grief and the broader toll of the conflict, as families and communities bid farewell to those lost in the final days of fighting before the truce.

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Mourners carry the coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners carry the coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners kiss a coffin of a Hezbollah fighter, who was killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners kiss a coffin of a Hezbollah fighter, who was killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A semi transporting coffins that contain the remains of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, drives past the rubble of a destroyed building, as part of a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A semi transporting coffins that contain the remains of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, drives past the rubble of a destroyed building, as part of a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman, right, throws flowers over the coffins of Hezbollah fighters, who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman, right, throws flowers over the coffins of Hezbollah fighters, who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners raise their fists during the funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war with Israel, in Kfar Sir, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners raise their fists during the funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war with Israel, in Kfar Sir, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman places flowers on coffins of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman places flowers on coffins of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel are carried on a truck past mourners during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel are carried on a truck past mourners during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman mourns while holding a portrait of a Hezbollah fighter killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman mourns while holding a portrait of a Hezbollah fighter killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A girl mourns during a mass funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A girl mourns during a mass funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners grieve during a mass funeral procession of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners grieve during a mass funeral procession of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Women hold flowers during a mass funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war with Israel in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Women hold flowers during a mass funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war with Israel in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah supporters hang portraits of Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes during their funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah supporters hang portraits of Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes during their funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah supporters hang portraits of fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes beside a large billboard depicting the war in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, ahead of a funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah supporters hang portraits of fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes beside a large billboard depicting the war in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, ahead of a funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners pray on the coffins of Hezbollah fighters and civilians who were killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Mourners pray on the coffins of Hezbollah fighters and civilians who were killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A man mourns over the coffin of a Hezbollah fighter who was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A man mourns over the coffin of a Hezbollah fighter who was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Mourners and scouts carry the coffins of civilians who were killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Mourners and scouts carry the coffins of civilians who were killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A girl mourns over the coffin of a relative who was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A girl mourns over the coffin of a relative who was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Paramedics attach a portrait over the grave of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, at a temporary mass grave in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Paramedics attach a portrait over the grave of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, at a temporary mass grave in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Relatives of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, mourn during her funeral in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Relatives of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, mourn during her funeral in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Paramedics cover the body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, with a Lebanese flag at a morgue in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Paramedics cover the body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, with a Lebanese flag at a morgue in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Relatives of a Hezbollah fighter mourn on his grave at a cemetery where civilians and Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes are temporarily buried in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Relatives of a Hezbollah fighter mourn on his grave at a cemetery where civilians and Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes are temporarily buried in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Mourners gather over the body of Jawad Younes, 11, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during his funeral procession in Saksakieh village, south Lebanon, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Mourners gather over the body of Jawad Younes, 11, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during his funeral procession in Saksakieh village, south Lebanon, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Mourners carry the coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners carry the coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners kiss a coffin of a Hezbollah fighter, who was killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners kiss a coffin of a Hezbollah fighter, who was killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A semi transporting coffins that contain the remains of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, drives past the rubble of a destroyed building, as part of a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A semi transporting coffins that contain the remains of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, drives past the rubble of a destroyed building, as part of a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman, right, throws flowers over the coffins of Hezbollah fighters, who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman, right, throws flowers over the coffins of Hezbollah fighters, who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners raise their fists during the funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war with Israel, in Kfar Sir, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners raise their fists during the funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war with Israel, in Kfar Sir, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman places flowers on coffins of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman places flowers on coffins of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel are carried on a truck past mourners during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel are carried on a truck past mourners during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman mourns while holding a portrait of a Hezbollah fighter killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A woman mourns while holding a portrait of a Hezbollah fighter killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A girl mourns during a mass funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A girl mourns during a mass funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners grieve during a mass funeral procession of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners grieve during a mass funeral procession of Hezbollah fighters who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Women hold flowers during a mass funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war with Israel in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Women hold flowers during a mass funeral procession for Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war with Israel in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah supporters hang portraits of Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes during their funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah supporters hang portraits of Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes during their funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah supporters hang portraits of fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes beside a large billboard depicting the war in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, ahead of a funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hezbollah supporters hang portraits of fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes beside a large billboard depicting the war in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, ahead of a funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Mourners pray on the coffins of Hezbollah fighters and civilians who were killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Mourners pray on the coffins of Hezbollah fighters and civilians who were killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A man mourns over the coffin of a Hezbollah fighter who was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A man mourns over the coffin of a Hezbollah fighter who was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Mourners and scouts carry the coffins of civilians who were killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Mourners and scouts carry the coffins of civilians who were killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A girl mourns over the coffin of a relative who was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A girl mourns over the coffin of a relative who was killed in the war between Hezbollah and Israel during a mass funeral in Bazouriyeh village, south Lebanon, Monday, April 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Paramedics attach a portrait over the grave of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, at a temporary mass grave in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Paramedics attach a portrait over the grave of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, at a temporary mass grave in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Relatives of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, mourn during her funeral in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Relatives of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, mourn during her funeral in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Paramedics cover the body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, with a Lebanese flag at a morgue in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Paramedics cover the body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, who was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike, with a Lebanese flag at a morgue in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Relatives of a Hezbollah fighter mourn on his grave at a cemetery where civilians and Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes are temporarily buried in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Relatives of a Hezbollah fighter mourn on his grave at a cemetery where civilians and Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes are temporarily buried in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Mourners gather over the body of Jawad Younes, 11, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during his funeral procession in Saksakieh village, south Lebanon, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Mourners gather over the body of Jawad Younes, 11, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during his funeral procession in Saksakieh village, south Lebanon, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center was running out of options Friday evening to keep President Donald Trump's name on the facade of the iconic performing arts venue.

A judge earlier in the afternoon rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to remove references to Trump from the building and other aspects of the Kennedy Center's operations. The institution appealed that ruling, an effort that was also rebuffed Friday evening.

Scaffolding was erected earlier in the day around a section of the building that includes Trump's name, though there was no effort to remove it by 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Storms with lightning were dancing around Washington, adding to the challenge for workers.

After ignoring the Kennedy Center for much of his first term, Trump has wielded tremendous influence over the venue during his return to office. Just a month into his second term, he ousted the center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a board of trustees that named him chairman. Trump's name was quickly added to the building.

In his ruling that only Congress could make changes to the Kennedy Center's name, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper also blocked the administration from closing the cultural and arts venue for major renovations that had been planned to start in July and last for two years.

The Kennedy Center's leadership argued in its appeal Friday that the renovation was badly needed and accused the lower court, in terms that seemed similar to Trump's speech patterns, of interfering in the effort.

“The District Court is not allowing us to close in order to properly fix up and repair the Building, including potentially life threatening structural damage like beams and parking garage ceilings that are rusted, and in serious danger of falling onto people below,” according to the appeal. “Indeed, total collapse!”

Even as the Kennedy Center has fought efforts to remove Trump's name from the building, it has taken steps to comply with Cooper's initial ruling.

A June 4 memo to staff from the Kennedy Center’s Office of General Counsel said email signatures, letterhead and other documents must reflect the name as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.”

The Kennedy Center’s website has dropped Trump's name. And an earlier email sent to members offering ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony came from the Kennedy Center without including Trump’s name.

Associated Press journalists Mark Sherman and Emily Wang in Washington and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Workers construct scaffolding at the sign for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Workers construct scaffolding at the sign for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Workers construct scaffolding below the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Workers construct scaffolding below the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign Friday, June 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Workers erect scaffolding in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sign in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

A worker sits on scaffolding at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

A worker sits on scaffolding at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

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