The Kennedy Center's board of trustees is scheduled to vote Tuesday on an emergency resolution to shutter the institution's main building for renovations, a move that comes as a federal lawsuit over the Trump name continues. A draft resolution, included in court filings, warns that without immediate action the performing arts venue faces "certain fiscal collapse within weeks."
The resolution contends that unless the board formally acknowledges President Trump's fundraising efforts, he is unlikely to lead the renovation project or provide the financial rescue the center desperately needs. It proposes ten different ways to inscribe Trump's name on the building's facade, ranging from subtle plaques to prominent lettering, to secure his involvement.
Officials describe the main building as "unsafe for continued occupancy," citing a recent water leak that caused part of the Grand Foyer ceiling to collapse. A second resolution argues that the structure requires immediate closure for repairs, and that the $257 million renovation cannot proceed without Trump's backing.
The board, which was handpicked by Trump, is expected to vote on both resolutions Tuesday afternoon. The vote comes just hours after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper holds a scheduling conference in a lawsuit filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio board member challenging the name change. Beatty's legal team, led by Norm Eisen, has called the board's actions "hostage taking," with Eisen posting on X: "Pay up or the Kennedy Center closes, & the price is Trump's name on the building."
Cooper previously blocked a prolonged closure in May but allowed necessary maintenance. He also ordered Trump's name removed from the facade, ruling that only Congress has the authority to rename the venue. The lettering was taken down in June, but the board passed a resolution in August to re-add it, leading to the current legal standoff.
During a hearing last month, Cooper questioned why the board was rushing the closure. The center has agreed to delay any shutdown until at least October 8, but Justice Department lawyers argue that without Trump's involvement, the building may need to be demolished. "The Kennedy Center is in terrible trouble," they wrote, adding that the crisis is so acute that only the Trump administration can save it.
The dispute has drawn national attention, with critics accusing the board of leveraging the institution's financial woes to force a political tribute. Supporters argue that Trump's fundraising prowess is essential to the center's survival. The outcome of Tuesday's vote and the court proceedings could determine the future of one of the nation's most iconic cultural venues.
For more on the broader political battles over naming and legacy, see Trump's role at the RNC midterm convention and the GOP's midterm strategy.
