Donald Trump announces closure of the Kennedy Center / Renovation conditional on use of his name

Donald Trump announced the closure of the Kennedy Center in Washington, citing the need for urgent renovation and modernization work. The announcement came hours after a federal judge barred the institution from putting the president’s name back on the building’s facade.

In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump said the work would go ahead only if the center’s administration were allowed to keep his name on the building. He warned that the renovation would not take place if the courts uphold the ruling, including after a possible appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees, made up largely of people appointed by Trump and chaired by him, approved the closure and repair plan. The presidential administration has long said that the building, located on the banks of the Potomac River, needs significant investment.

The Kennedy Center hosts theater, dance and music performances and is named after former President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. In December, Trump’s name was added to the facade, a decision that prompted protests and led several artists to cancel performances. After returning to the White House, Trump dismissed several board members and took over leadership of the institution.