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The Kennedy Center’s board voted Tuesday to immediately close the performing arts venue, citing safety concerns and the need for renovations. The decision came shortly after a federal judge ruled that the institution cannot legally add President Donald Trump’s name to the building in any form, including in three alternative locations the board had proposed.
Trump announced the closure on Truth Social, stating the board voted “almost unanimously” to shut down the facility. He indicated that renovation work cannot begin until a federal appeals court rules on whether the center’s name can be changed. The Justice Department plans to file an expedited appeal on Friday, according to reports. Trump also noted that $17 million he raised has been deposited into the Kennedy Center’s account to sustain operations during the closure.
U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty, a board member who has challenged the renaming efforts in court, disputed the necessity of the shutdown. She argued that major performing arts centers nationwide conduct phased renovations while continuing performances. Beatty criticized the board’s actions as an attempt to deface the Kennedy Center, which was established as a memorial to President Kennedy. She stated that Trump’s interest in the center is driven by vanity rather than genuine concern for the institution.
A federal judge had previously blocked an extended closure, and attorneys for Beatty contended the center cannot shut down without judicial approval. The Kennedy Center’s public relations department said the closure prioritizes safety and that the institution intends to appeal the court’s ruling.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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