Trump's name must stay off Kennedy Center building, judge rules

The Kennedy Center board has voted to close the performing arts centre, just as a US judge blocked it from adding President Donald Trump's name back to the building.

In May, the same judge ordered the removal of Trump's name and blocked its temporary closure for proposed renovations

The board, which is chaired by Trump and comprises his cabinet members and allies, approved a resolution in August that called for the inscription "Renovated and Restored by President Donald J. Trump" to be added to the venue.

Trump announced the addition of his name to the institution, among other rebranding measures across the nation's capital, last year.

The judge's written order came less than an hour before the centre's board voted to close the performing arts venue for two years. This was the third time the board has approved closing the centre since February, amid legal challenges to Trump's work to take greater control of the institution and memorial.

In February 2025, he replaced several trustees on the centre's board and appointed himself as a trustee before being voted in as the arts centre's chairman.

In December, the board decided to rename the institution and new lettering bearing Trump's full name was affixed to the centre's front portico the following day.

The changes, including the re-naming, were followed by cancellations by artists booked at the venue and a drop in ticket sales.

On Sunday, the Kennedy Center administration told its board that the arts institution was on the brink of bankruptcy, the Washington Post reported.

The administration said it was in a "precarious fiscal position" and would not be able to support its payroll obligations and routine maintenance contracts "within a matter of weeks". Closure could be as soon as Tuesday, it added.

The current leadership at the centre has said the building is unsafe for continued occupancy, pointing to part of the ceiling falling in earlier this month. But others close to the centre dispute that it must be closed.

The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump confirmed the board would meet and said on Truth Social that the Kennedy Center is "in a virtual state of collapse".

He described dire conditions in the building and railed against the "hostile and conflicted" judge for keeping it open despite neither having performances scheduled nor "people that would have the Courage to even go in".

He also touted his ability to raise money and construction prowess, adding that he has the strength and power of the presidency to support his renovation.