Fencing was erected around the main Kennedy Center building on Wednesday following a decision by the board aligned with Trump to shut down most of the performing arts center for maintenance. The move came after a federal judge blocked an attempt to reinstate President Donald Trump’s name on the building.
President Trump had indicated in a social media post that the closure was essential for safety repairs. However, he linked the approval of the repairs, funded by Congress with $257 million, to the board’s ability to proceed with adding his name to the building.
Critics opposing the closure noted the lack of access for vehicles and pedestrians to the building. A security guard informed an Associated Press reporter that the main building was off-limits.
Concerns were raised about potential demolition of the Kennedy Center by activists, fearing a scenario where the building might be razed before legal proceedings conclude. The Trump administration’s track record, including the demolition of the White House’s East Wing for a ballroom expansion, raised doubts about trustworthiness.
Proposals by the Kennedy Center board to rename the center after Trump and inscribe his name on the facade were rejected by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper. Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Kennedy Center board member, sought legal action against what she deemed the “unlawful closure.” There were confrontations between Beatty and Trump during virtual board meetings.
Requests for comments from the Kennedy Center spokesperson were unanswered, but a social media post cited safety concerns due to infrastructure failures as the reason for the closure. Criticism continued, with Maria Shriver, niece of John F. Kennedy, describing the name dispute as a “sad state of affairs” and a “tragedy.”
The Kennedy Center remains closed amid ongoing legal battles and uncertainties surrounding the fate of the building.