POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: Legal observer said she saw forklift repeatedly hit Kennedy Center pillars

POLICYWIRE COUNTER-MISINFORMATION & DISINFORMATION DESK

MISLEADING

THE VERIFIED CLAIM

"Legal observer said she saw forklift repeatedly hit Kennedy Center pillars"

OFFICIAL VERDICT: MISLEADING

The Claim

A viral claim surfaced in late September 2026 alleging that a legal observer had witnessed a forklift repeatedly striking the pillars of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The claim gained traction online, with users sharing a post that suggested the forklift’s actions were intentional and aimed at damaging the building to justify its closure.

The specific statement that triggered public concern was part of a social media post archived by Snopes, which claimed that a sworn declaration filed in court described a legal observer witnessing a forklift carrying fencing driving to the north side of the building and repeatedly ramming into its pillars. The post also alleged that the damage was done to make the building unsafe so it could be closed for renovations. This narrative was widely shared on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, with some users attributing the incident to political motivations, particularly involving former President Donald Trump.

The Details & Investigation

According to court records, on September 16, 2026, Bridget Kennedy-Bailey, a member of the legal team representing U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), submitted a sworn declaration to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. In her declaration, Kennedy-Bailey stated that she had visited the Kennedy Center that day and observed a forklift carrying what appeared to be permanent fencing being driven to the north side of the building. She reported that the forklift struck the building’s pillars multiple times.

Kennedy-Bailey also noted that upon arrival, she was told the Kennedy Center was closed for the day, with instructions coming from