The Kennedy Center board voted to close the center on Tuesday after a meeting in which former President Donald Trump called in to criticize Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who is a member of the board. Sources familiar with the call described it as tense, with Trump expressing frustration over Beatty's lawsuit that has prevented his name from being added to the building. One source stated, "It was f**king crazy," while another noted that Trump blamed Beatty for involving the courts, which he claimed led to the center's financial difficulties. Beatty countered by stating that Trump had contributed to the center's debt.
The board's decision to close the center coincided with a federal judge's ruling that halted the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees' plan to add Trump's name to the memorial for President John F. Kennedy. US District Judge Casey Cooper stated that the proposal to inscribe a thank-you message to Trump violated a federal court order and a statute enacted by Congress. Cooper emphasized that memorials for Trump or any other individual cannot be installed at the Kennedy Center without Congressional approval.
Before the center can fully shut down, the board must obtain a ruling that reverses Cooper's order requiring the institution to remain open while Beatty's lawsuit is ongoing. The Justice Department is expected to submit that request by Friday. Additionally, the Kennedy Center filed an appeal against Cooper's ruling on Trump's name to the DC US Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday evening.
Following the board's vote, Trump suggested that renovations would not proceed unless his name is ultimately included on the building. He stated, "The closing will take place immediately, however, the Renovation and Reconstruction, which is a very large and complex job, cannot begin until such time as the D.C. Circuit rules on the Board’s approved name." Trump also mentioned that he had raised $17 million, which has been deposited into the Kennedy Center's account to support its operations in the interim.
The board's August 13 proposal aimed to add the text "Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump" to the center's facade. Although the board initially planned to implement this inscription this month, its lawyers informed Cooper that they would wait until October 8 for a ruling on the legality of the proposal.
The ongoing legal disputes stem from Beatty's lawsuit, in which she has expressed opposition to any efforts to add Trump's name to the building. During the call with the board, Trump also criticized Judge Cooper, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. Trump had previously expressed his discontent with Cooper on social media, stating that the judge appeared hostile and conflicted, which he believed could jeopardize the building's future.
Cooper has postponed ruling on another aspect of the August 13 resolution, which involved adding an inscription honoring "The Trump Kennedy Center Fund" once $100 million was raised for the endowment. Since the fund has not yet raised any money, Cooper deemed a ruling on that proposal as premature, requiring notification if the fundraising goal is met, with at least 60 days' notice before any text can be added.