Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close for Renovations Amid Naming Dispute

The Kennedy Center board voted Tuesday to immediately close the performing arts venue for renovations, hours after a federal judge blocked efforts to add President Donald Trump's name to the building.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board cannot install memorials for Trump or anyone else at the Kennedy Center without Congress's approval, stating the board was engaging in linguistic gymnastics. Trump had previously warned that renovations would not proceed unless his name was added to the building. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose wife is on the board, shared a video of falling ceiling debris, citing completely unsafe conditions.

Trump stated on Truth Social that the very large and complex job of renovation cannot begin until a higher court rules on the board's approved name, and that if the ruling is negative and not overturned by the Supreme Court, reconstruction will not take place. Congress has appropriated over $250 million for the renovation. Trump allies on the board, whom he appointed last year, have pushed for the overhaul and for his name to be added to the building, which was legally designated to bear John F. Kennedy's name.

A Democratic board member, Rep. Joyce Beatty, alleged Trump verbally berated her ahead of the vote. The board's decision to close the center was described by Kerry Kennedy as hostage taking by the President.