The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees says the historic entertainment venue faces bankruptcy and could close as early as Tuesday if President Trump’s name does not appear on the building’s facade.
The board, composed mostly of Trump supporters, said in a federal court filing that the building is unsafe for occupancy and that the center cannot meet its financial obligations without Mr. Trump’s fundraising prowess or recognition of his contributions.
The court filing is part of a lawsuit filed by Rep. Joyce Beatty, Ohio Democrat and ex officio board member spearheading an effort to keep Mr. Trump’s name off the building.
Mr. Trump’s name has already been added to and removed from the Kennedy Center. U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered in May that his name be removed, ruling that only Congress has the authority to make such a change.
Both the court and the Kennedy Center trustees are expected to hold meetings Tuesday.
Early in his second term, Mr. Trump fired the board of trustees and replaced them with loyalists who appointed him chairman of the center. Several entertainers canceled scheduled performances in protest, and longtime patrons curbed donations to the venue. The center faces a projected deficit of $23 million this year.
Citing its bylaws, the board of trustees has argued in court filings that they would have to return millions of dollars in private donations if Mr. Trump’s name is not restored to the building’s facade, according to WTOP.
In a draft proposal, the trustees wrote: “The Board understands that without such appropriate recognition it is unlikely that President Trump will provide the fundamental oversight of the renovation of the main building and lead the fiscal rescue of the Center.”
The proposal offers 10 options for adding the president’s name, including “Renovation Restoration and Endowment overseen by President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Kennedy Center Fund” and “With Gratitude for Support from President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Kennedy Center Fund.”
Trustees are being asked to close the center’s main building immediately, citing a Sept. 4 incident in which a section of ceiling plaster fell. No one was injured, but the administration pointed to the incident as evidence that renovations are needed.
The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has been a popular venue since it opened in 1971.
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