Kennedy Center Board, Stacked by Trump, Forces Two-Year Closure Amid Cronyism and Fiscal Mismanagement
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The Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board has abruptly shuttered the iconic arts venue, citing safety and financial woes, while brazenly attempting to plaster Trump’s name on the building—a move blocked by a federal judge upholding democratic norms.
The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, dominated by Trump loyalists, voted Tuesday to immediately close the venue for a two-year renovation, citing safety risks after a partial ceiling collapse in the Grand Foyer and a bleak financial outlook. The center’s director and a construction consultant described the main building as unsafe, but critics argue that years of mismanagement and underfunding—exacerbated by Trump-era appointees—created the crisis.
This drastic decision comes on the heels of a federal court ruling that struck down the board’s shameless attempt to rebrand the Kennedy Center with President Donald J. Trump’s name, a move the board cynically claimed was needed to secure funding and stave off bankruptcy. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper rightly affirmed that any such renaming requires congressional approval, casting doubt on the board’s dubious assertion that donors would only contribute if Trump’s name was emblazoned on the façade.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member and a rare voice for accountability, has challenged the closure plan in court, arguing the board failed to conduct proper due diligence and that parts of the center could remain open during renovations. The board’s original July 5 closure date has been delayed by ongoing legal battles, highlighting the chaos sown by Trump’s appointees.
President Trump, who installed himself as board chairman, joined the closed-door meeting virtually and lashed out at both Rep. Beatty and the judge’s order, according to sources. This is yet another example of Trump’s relentless efforts to undermine democratic institutions for personal gain.
In a draft resolution filed with the court, the board painted a picture of fiscal disaster, claiming it could soon be unable to meet payroll and maintenance obligations. Incredibly, the document argued that only Trump could provide a financial rescue—if his name was added to the building—exposing the transactional and self-serving nature of the board’s leadership.
Judge Cooper’s ruling pointed out that the center already has $257 million in congressional funding for improvements, and noted that the push to rename the center coincided with falling revenue and declining artist participation. Rep. Beatty praised the decision, emphasizing that the Kennedy Center’s name rightfully honors President John F. Kennedy and that Trump’s attempted power grab was an unlawful affront to the institution.