Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close Venue for Renovations Amid Financial Crisis
Kennedy Center board, led by Trump, votes to close venue for renovations. Financial and structural issues force immediate closure.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — The board of the Kennedy Center, which includes members handpicked by former President Donald Trump, has voted to immediately close the performing arts center for renovations, citing dire financial and structural conditions, according to a source familiar with the decision.
The move followed a recent federal court ruling that rejected the board’s attempt to add Trump’s name to the building’s exterior, a proposal the board claimed was essential to prevent the center from going bankrupt. The decision comes after a partial ceiling collapse in the Grand Foyer earlier this month, which prompted concerns over the safety of the facility.
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A construction consultant and the center’s director have stated that the main building is unsafe for continued use and warned of potential risks if it remains open. This marks the third time since February that the board has approved a two-year closure for repairs. However, Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member, has challenged the closures in court, arguing that congressional approval is required and that parts of the center could remain operational during renovations.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
