Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close Amid Name Dispute and Judge's Accusation of 'Games' by President Trump
The Kennedy Center's board has voted to close the performing arts venue immediately, citing financial issues and the ongoing dispute over President Trump's efforts to add his name to the building. President Trump confirmed the closure in a Truth Social post, stating it was for 'Safety reasons' and that renovations, funded by a congressional appropriation of over $250 million, would not proceed unless the D.C. Circuit Court rules in favor of the board's approved name. Earlier the same day, a federal judge, Christopher R. Cooper, rejected President Trump's latest attempts to place his name on the Kennedy Center, accusing him and his allies of 'linguistic gymnastics' and 'play[ing] word games' in defiance of a previous court ruling and congressional intent. The judge ruled that the board cannot install President Trump's name on the facade or designate the grounds as 'President Donald J. Trump Plaza,' siding with Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) who brought the lawsuit.
