Topline
President Donald Trump’s handpicked board of trustees for the Kennedy Center warned that the institution was facing bankruptcy and may have to shut down as early as this week unless the president’s name is added to the building to enable his fundraising efforts, the Washington Post reported Sunday amid an ongoing legal matter on the issue.
The tarp covering the facade of the Kennedy Center has remained in place since a judge ordered the removal of President Donald Trump’s name.
Getty Images
Key Facts
The Post’s report cited an internal 57-page document issued by the board ahead of a meeting on Tuesday, which warned that the center faces “certain fiscal collapse.”
The document also warned about safety concerns stemming from the center’s maintenance issues and called for the main building to be shut immediately.
The report notes that financial woes are significant enough to prevent the center from making payroll or paying for maintenance work within weeks.
The document suggests that Trump is willing to “raise the necessary funds to keep the Center from bankruptcy,” but any such fundraising support would not happen without the president receiving “appropriate recognition.”
The board of trustees is set to meet on Tuesday, where it is expected to approve the closure of the building.
Key Background
Last month, the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees had voted on a proposal to add an inscription to the front portico bearing the president’s name, reading “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.” The Post’s report noted that the latest documents ask the Trustees to choose from 10 different texts for the inscription, including: “Renovation Restoration and Endowment overseen by President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Kennedy Center Fund.” Last month, a group of plaintiffs led by Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, filed a court motion to block the move, calling it a “breathtaking act of defiance of Congress and of this Court.” A federal judge had previously ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the facade of the building, noting that such a move can only be approved by Congress.
What Has Trump Said About The Case?
In a Truth Social post late last month, Trump attacked the federal judge overseeing the Kennedy Center renaming controversy and reiterated the board’s claims that the building needs major repairs. Trump described the center as an “old and decrepit building” that is badly in need of “major construction.” He also argued that the building needed a “public relations fix” before it can “attain greatness and prestige,” without specifying what he meant by this. Trump’s post also attacked Federal Judge Christopher Cooper, calling him “highly conflicted,” without citing any evidence of conflict. Earlier this year, Trump had argued that Cooper had a conflict of interest in this case because his wife Amy Jeffress had worked as former President Joe Biden’s personal attorney, even though the case doesn’t involve Biden. Trump cited Jeffress’ work under former Attorney General Eric Holder as an issue and suggested she wasn’t using Cooper in her surname to hide her relationship. Trump’s direct complaints about Cooper, however, revolved around the fact that he was appointed by former President Barack Obama.
further reading
Kennedy Center could close as early as Tuesday, warns of bankruptcy, documents show (Washington Post)
Trump Administration Says It May Demolish Kennedy Center If Court Blocks Renovations (Forbes)
Judge Asked To Block Kennedy Center From Inscribing Trump’s Name (Forbes)
Kennedy Center Abruptly Begins Removing ‘Blue’ Sculpture (Forbes)
Leave a comment