Trump Court Fight Intensifies Over Kennedy Center Future
A photograph of President Trump with a 'Kennedy Center DEMOLITION' poster aboard Air Force One surfaces as a federal judge weighs new evidence in the ongoing dispute.
President Donald Trump was photographed aboard Air Force One viewing a large poster that read, "Kennedy Center DEMOLITION," late Wednesday, intensifying a legal battle over the future of the iconic performing arts venue. This development comes as a federal judge considers new evidence presented by critics who fear the building may be slated for demolition.
Earlier this week, a Trump-appointed leadership panel voted to close the Kennedy Center, citing the need for "urgent repairs." This decision followed a federal judge's order blocking an earlier attempt to rebrand the venue with Trump's name. President Trump himself suggested that necessary upgrades might not proceed if his name is not associated with the building, adding urgency to the dispute.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had previously blocked Trump's bid to place his name on the building and rename surrounding grounds as "President Donald J Trump Plaza." The efforts to rename the center have been the subject of months of litigation.
Following the judge's order, the Trump-aligned Kennedy Center board voted to close the building for renovations and installed fencing around its perimeter, according to an emergency filing by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and Kennedy Center trustee. Beatty's lawyers urged the court to intervene promptly, citing the photograph and Trump's recent remarks.
Reporters were told by Trump on Wednesday evening that he believes the Trump administration "should be recognized" for any upgrades to the Kennedy Center. He also stated that such upgrades would require substantial, long-term financial support beyond the more than $250 million Congress had already approved for restoration. "Because frankly, if we don’t do that, it’s going to close," Trump said. "It’ll end up being ripped down. It’s in very, very bad shape, very dangerous shape."
In their filing, Beatty's lawyers argued that the "unexplained and unlawful closure" might indicate an intent by the defendants to "undertake immediate steps in order to make public access practically impossible for the foreseeable future, including by demolishing public avenues of access to the building, and thereby evade the court’s order."
Judge Cooper had set a deadline of Thursday at 10 a.m. for the Trump administration to respond, indicating he planned to schedule a prompt hearing if necessary.