President Donald Trump criticized U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper following a ruling that ordered the removal of his name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and blocked the planned closure of the theater for repairs. The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), which argued that the center's name could only be changed through an act of Congress. Trump stated on Truth Social that the judge and the 'Radical Left' would prefer to see the center 'die' rather than allow him to transform it.
The lawsuit claims that Trump's decision to rename the center violated constitutional order and the rule of law. Judge Cooper also ruled that the vote to close the facility by the president's board of trustees was improper. The Kennedy Center officials have two weeks to remove Trump's name and must complete all required reviews and obtain necessary approvals before proceeding with any closure or revitalization efforts. Beatty expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing that the Kennedy Center belongs to the American people. The center's vice president of public relations noted that a $257 million renovation project, funded by Trump, is necessary to address maintenance issues.
