Beloved performing arts venue, the Kennedy Center, closed immediately following a vote by the Trump-aligned Kennedy Center board Tuesday.
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The vote took place shortly after a federal judge ruled that the iconic central DC venue, named after President John F. Kennedy, couldn't return current president Donald Trump's name on the building, according to The Associated Press.
"Simply put, Defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress's blessing," U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper explained in his Sept. 15 ruling.
Congress has allocated $257 million for safety repairs on the venue, which was opened in 1971. However, Trump claims the renovation won't go through until his name can be added to the venue.
Trump Takes to Social Media to Address Kennedy Center's Immediate Closing
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to confirm the Kennedy Center would be closed immediately.
"The Board of The Kennedy Center today agreed, almost unanimously, to close the Building for Safety reasons, and so that it can begin the process of Reconstruction," he began in his Sept. 15 post. "The closing will take place immediately, however, the Renovation and Reconstruction, which is a very large and complex job, cannot begin until such time as the D.C. Circuit rules on the Board's approved name."
"If the ruling is a negative one, which it should not be, and is not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Reconstruction and the Renovation of The Kennedy Center will not take place," the 80-year-old former reality TV personality added. "The attorneys from the DOJ will ask for an expedited appeal. In the meantime, 17 Million Dollars, raised by President Trump, has been put into The Kennedy Center account to keep it afloat."
The Saga of Trump Forcing His Name on the Kennedy Center Stretches Back for Months
Of course, this is just the latest development in the ongoing saga of Trump forcing his name on the historic venue.
Judge Cooper's ruling follows the Trump-aligned Kennedy Center board's August vote approving the inscription "Renovated and Restored by President Donald J. Trump" under the Kennedy Center's name on the venue.
Meanwhile, back in December, the board voted to rebrand the venue as "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." Trump's name was added to the facade of the building. However, last May, Judge Cooper ruled Trump's name was added illegally. Cooper ordered Trump's name removed.
The center is reportedly in desperate need of renovations as the court proceedings continue.
