The Kennedy Center's board voted to close the performing arts venue due to financial issues and a contentious dispute over adding President Donald Trump's name to the building.
Trump confirmed the closure in a Truth Social post, stating it was for "Safety reasons." He added that renovations could not begin until the D.C. Circuit rules on the board's approved name change. "If the ruling is a negative one... the Reconstruction and the Renovation of The Kennedy Center will not take place," he wrote.
The decision follows a ruling by federal Judge Christopher R. Cooper, who rejected efforts to place Trump's name on the center. Cooper accused Trump and his allies of "linguistic gymnastics" and "playing word games" in defiance of common sense and a previous court order. He stated that adding "restored and renovated by President Donald J. Trump" to the facade would constitute a memorial, which is prohibited by the center's governing statute without congressional approval.
Last month, the board voted to add "restored and renovated by" in small font below "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," with "President Donald J. Trump" in matching font size below that. Cooper's ruling sided with Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who filed a lawsuit opposing the changes.
The judge noted that Trump's allies used various terms like "recognition," "plaque," and "acknowledgment" to avoid calling the additions a memorial, but found that common sense indicated otherwise. Cooper also suggested that while Trump's allies claimed the additions were necessary to prevent the center from falling into disrepair, artists pulling out of performances in protest indicated the opposite was true.
The center's facade has been partially covered for months during the legal proceedings. Cooper deemed it premature to rule on a future plan to add "endowed by" and "The Trump Kennedy Center Fund" pending the achievement of a $100 million fundraising goal.
Trump has stated he will pursue an expedited appeal of Cooper's ruling.