With the announcement of new construction projects around Washington, D.C. seemingly on a daily basis, the ongoing disaster that is known as the Kennedy Center continues to defy court orders.
Last week, the Kennedy Center Board (a group of loyalists handpicked by the White House that includes some White House staff) voted to return the illegal name to the building with an attempted run-around the courts by crediting the name with renovating the property.
The tarps covering the name are still in place with guards watching the building.
The Kennedy Center Board has now told the court that any changes to the name on the building will not occur before Labor Day; allowing for legal arguments.
Opponents of the name change note that the handpicked board “seems intent” on defying the courts.
In the meeting last week that was supposed to focus on closure of The Center and the proposed renovations, instead focused on the name change – and not just one but TWO!. Not only does the board intend to replace the illegal name to read “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump” but to also name the plaza after the current White House resident!
The board cited cost overruns and safety issues as their reasoning for a total closure of the iconic venue. The board says that the renovations would run $285 million – $257 million of which was allocated by Congress last year for maintenance repairs and restorations.
While the Kennedy Center is closed, Kennedy Center staples The Kennedy Center honors and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor would take place in an alternate venue. The National Symphony Orchestra will also be performing in other venues.
Detractors have spent the pasts several weeks speculating over why the tarp that was erected during the supposed illegal name removal are still in place. According to the Kennedy Center board, it is necessary and “helped safeguard the marble facade of the building in light of reported panel damage water testing and structural repairs to the roof overhang.”
It should be noted that the current board is in place due to a hostile takeover in February 2025; shortly after the change over of presidents. Said board has described their leader, “as the center’s savior”, adding it (Kennedy Center), “would be in financial ruin without President Trump’s unique stature as both an unparalleled fundraiser and world-class developer.”
After the hostile takeover, artists cancelled performances, patrons left, and fund raising dried up in protest of the takeover. Ticket sales plummeted for remaining performances.