The Kennedy Center's board has voted to close the performing arts venue immediately, citing financial issues and an ongoing dispute over branding President Donald Trump's name on the building. Trump confirmed the closure on his Truth Social platform, stating it was for "Safety reasons" and that renovations could not begin until a court ruled on the board's approved name.
A federal judge, Christopher R. Cooper, had earlier ruled against efforts to place Trump's name on the Kennedy Center, finding that such additions would violate a prior court ruling and congressional intent. Cooper accused Trump and his allies of "linguistic gymnastics" and "play[ing] word games" in defiance of "common sense."
The board had voted last month to add the words "restored and renovated by" in small font below "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," followed by "President Donald J. Trump" in font matching Kennedy's name. Cooper's ruling on Tuesday sided with Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who filed a lawsuit opposing the changes.
Judge Cooper stated that the board could not install Trump's name on the facade or christen the grounds "President Donald J. Trump Plaza." He noted that the center's governing statute prohibits additional memorials without congressional approval. The judge also suggested that artists withdrawing from performances in protest contradicted arguments that the additions were necessary to prevent the center from falling into disrepair.
The court filing indicated that the additions constituted a memorial, a term the defendants themselves defined as "anything meant to help people remember some person or event." Cooper concluded that "linguistic gymnastics cannot extricate the Kennedy Center’s Board from an operative judicial order or the governing statute it was designed to enforce."
Trump's allies argued in court filings that the additions were not a memorial but rather a "recognition," "plaque," "testimonial," or "acknowledgment." Cooper deemed it premature to rule on a potential future addition of "The Trump Kennedy Center Fund" if a $100 million fundraising goal was met, as the facade has been partially covered for months during the legal proceedings.
Trump stated he would pursue an "expedited appeal" of the ruling. The Kennedy Center, established by Congress in 1958 and renamed in honor of President John F. Kennedy, has been partially covered for months during the legal proceedings surrounding the branding dispute.