The newest twist in the drama around the Kennedy Center: Donald Trump is once again trying to shut the place down. The New York Times reports that the board, led by the president and largely consisting of loyalists, has voted on a resolution to close down the building for renovations.
The decision is not yet final, as federal Judge Christopher R. Cooper still has to approve the shutdown, after previously blocking the board’s attempt to proceed with renovations in May. Then, the judge said that the board had not seriously considered the consequences of closing the center, with Kennedy Center officials promising to do so prior to this newest resolution. The resolution claims that keeping the main building open during renovations would be too expensive.
The Kennedy Center has become a lightning rod for attention during Trump’s second administration, as numerous artists and groups have canceled performances at the Center since Trump’s takeover, leading to the theory that Trump wants to close the building to reduce his embarrassment over those cancellations.
Renovation Plans
The proposed renovations of the Kennedy Center, carrying an estimated price tag of $250, includes structural repair work, the installation of new marble floors, and $11.8 million in “acoustical improvements,” per the Times.
Legal Battles
Judge Cooper’s May ruling was only one of many recent legal blows Trump’s received in connection to the Kennedy Center. Just this week, the center was ordered to pay over $250,000 in legal fees to jazz drummer Chuck Redd, following a lawsuit over Redd canceling his Christmas concert.
Additionally, earlier this year Trump tried to have his name mounted above John F. Kennedy’s on the building’s exterior, which was removed in June following a court order. However, as part of Thursday’s meeting to approve the plans for renovation, the board also voted to add Trump’s name below Kennedy’s on the exterior with a sign reading “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.” It will undoubtedly be done in gold.
In conclusion, the Kennedy Center remains at the center of controversy, with Trump’s latest attempt to shut down the building sparking outrage and debate. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Kennedy Center will fare under Trump’s leadership, and what the future holds for this iconic institution.
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