Trump says Kennedy Center to close as court rules his name must stay off building

The Kennedy Center board has decided to close the performing arts center for two years after a US judge blocked President Donald Trump from adding his name to the building. In May, the same judge ordered the removal of Trump's name and prevented the center's closure for proposed renovations. Trump, who is the chairman of the board, approved a resolution in August to add the inscription, "Renovated and Restored by President Donald J. Trump" to the venue.

This was the third time the board approved closing the center since February, amid legal challenges to Trump's attempts to take greater control of the institution. The judge's written order came just before the center's board voted on the closure, which could still be lifted despite the vote. Trump claimed the decision was made for safety reasons, but renovations cannot start until the court rules on the board's approved name.

He vowed to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court if he loses. Congress has approved over $250 million for renovations, but the center cannot close without the judge lifting the temporary block he put in place in May. Beatty, a Democrat congresswoman, said the center had planned for years to undergo phased renovations while still performing, and blamed Trump's attempts to rename the center for the loss of audiences and artists.