President Trump’s appointed Kennedy Center board voted Tuesday to immediately close the historic performing arts venue, claiming structural dangers and financial crisis while making future renovations contingent on adding Trump’s name to the building’s exterior.

Closure Linked to Name Dispute

The shutdown decision came hours after a federal judge rejected the board’s latest attempt to place Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center facade. Trump, who serves as board chairman, declared on Truth Social that reconstruction cannot proceed unless courts approve the name addition. The president claimed he personally raised seventeen million dollars to support the center, though Congress had already appropriated two hundred fifty million dollars for renovations last year.

This marks the third closure vote since February. The venue was originally scheduled to close July fifth, but legal challenges from Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democratic board member from Ohio, have repeatedly delayed implementation. Beatty argues the board failed to conduct proper due diligence before determining closure was necessary.

Heated Board Confrontation

Trump joined the closed-door board meeting virtually and engaged in a shouting match with Beatty, according to a source who participated in the video conference. The president called Beatty an obstructionist while she criticized his unprofessionalism, with both trading accusations of incompetence. Trump also questioned Judge Christopher Cooper’s impartiality, suggesting without evidence that the judge was compromised because his wife previously represented former President Biden.

The board cited a partial ceiling collapse in the Grand Foyer earlier this month as justification for immediate closure. A construction consultant and the center’s director declared the main building unsafe for continued occupancy. However, Judge Cooper has previously noted that his orders preventing full closure still permitted emergency repairs to proceed.

Financial Crisis Claims

Board resolutions describe the Kennedy Center as facing potential bankruptcy after exhausting fiscal resources. The documents state the institution cannot meet payroll obligations or routine maintenance contracts within weeks. The board resolution explicitly declares that only Trump can rescue the facility, but requires exterior recognition of his contributions. Center attorneys plan to request the judge lift his closure block this week, while Beatty’s legal team will argue repairs can proceed without shuttering the entire venue. The proposed closure would last two years.