Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close After Judge Blocks Trump Name Addition

On Tuesday, the Kennedy Center's board voted to shut down the main building of the performing arts institution, following a federal judge's decision to block the addition of President Donald Trump's name to the venue. The closure cannot become effective until U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper lifts the current injunction, according to the Los Angeles Times. Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, representing Ohio, is seeking an emergency injunction to prevent the shutdown.

The Trump-appointed board approved the closure as part of a planned $250 million renovation project that spans two years. The board cited the Kennedy Center's deteriorating financial situation and structural issues as the reasons for the closure, stating that it threatened the safety of its staff and visitors. The board resolution warned that the organization could face difficulties in paying its staff or maintaining facilities within weeks.

Beatty's legal team challenged the board's reasoning, arguing that the resolution misrepresented the findings of independent consultants who assessed the building's condition. Delta Consulting Group had explicitly declined to conclude that the main building was unsafe for continued occupancy. The safety concerns were further exacerbated when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick shared footage showing part of the center's ceiling collapsing.

Lutnick claimed that the building's failing roofing, concrete supports, and steel created completely unsafe conditions, advocating for an immediate closure.

The board's resolution also linked the center's financial future to formally acknowledging Trump's contributions to the institution. It suggested that the president may not continue overseeing the renovation or provide financial support unless his name was added to the building's façade. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled on Tuesday that the board could not install any inscriptions crediting Trump with restoring or renovating the center or rename the surrounding grounds as "President Donald J. Trump Plaza."

Cooper stated that the Kennedy Center could not install memorials for Trump or any other entity without congressional approval.

President Trump responded to the ruling on social media, calling Cooper "very hostile and conflicted" and accusing the Kennedy Center of being "in a virtual state of collapse." He stated that he would appeal the decision and argued that the building needed to close for a comprehensive renovation. The board had previously voted in August to proceed with the renovation and seek new ways to recognize Trump's contributions.

On Tuesday, the board solidified its closure plan, stating that the main building would shut down immediately, pending the lifting of the injunction. During the closure, the Kennedy Center would continue presenting educational and artistic programming at its newer Reach expansion and other locations. The Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor would move to offsite venues, while the National Symphony Orchestra would continue performing at alternate locations. As of now, the Kennedy Center declined to comment on the matter.