The Kennedy Center, mired in controversy since President Donald Trump recommended its closure for major repairs earlier, has made that move, with its board voting almost unanimously to close the building for safety reasons, according to the president.
“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,” explained Trump in a social media statement.
“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 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The president, explained, “The Kennedy Center is in a virtual state of collapse, and has been for many years. A large piece of concrete and steel just dropped down, in a thud, from the ceiling of a heavily trafficked main hallway. If the Building were open, innocent people would have been killed. A security guard had just passed the area, one minute prior to this ceiling collapse. He was, therefore, 60 seconds away from certain death. The Judge has made us keep it open even though there are no performances, and no people that would have the Courage to even go in. The Board of The Kennedy Center has strongly voted to save it, and they know I’m the only one who can do so, because I have the ability to raise the money, and the ability to construct — that few others have. I also have the strength and power of the Presidency, which will be needed do what must be done, and give it a strong shot at Greatness again! Remember, The Kennedy Center was losing Hundreds of Millions of Dollars when I took over. It was failing badly! It had nothing to do with me, I am only there to help. I just got there to reveal the facts, but especially those concerning Building Safety. A very hostile and conflicted Judge (What else is new?) seems like he won’t let that happen, in which case, unfortunately, the Building is destined to doom. Isn’t that too bad? We have already wasted more than 6 months “playing around” in Court. Time is our Enemy! The Board, comprised of some of the most prominent and respected people in our Nation, is meeting again today. It will be interesting to see what happens! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
On social media there is video of the ceiling of the center, “crashing violently onto the main Lobby floor. Failing roofing, collapsing concrete supports, and steel that is rotting have created completely unsafe conditions.”
Reports confirm, “It was caught on security video, missing one of the Center’s security guards by just minutes. If a performance had been underway, patrons could have been killed. The entire building is in this kind of shape. People cannot be allowed to go into this building any longer. It must be closed and reconstructed, and a major fundraising effort must take place to cover the Kennedy Center’s operating expenses. Like many other Centers, it operates at a huge loss. For the Kennedy Center, that has historically been $80-$100 million a year. Only President Trump can deliver the renovation on time and on budget, and only President Trump can raise the money to keep the Center out of bankruptcy.”
Here is the video of the ceiling of the Kennedy Center crashing violently onto the main Lobby floor. Failing roofing, collapsing concrete supports, and steel that is rotting have created completely unsafe conditions.
It was caught on security video, missing one of the Center’s… pic.twitter.com/g8PI4wsPzg
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) September 14, 2026
The vote Tuesday to close followed immediately after a federal judge interfered in center operations by forbidding the organization’s board from adding President Trump’s name to the structure, or the plaza on which it sits.
It is Judge Christopher Cooper who has decided to have his way with the naming of the building.
He insists that the Trump name not be present “in any form.” Cooper said the organization must follow his demand that Trump’s name was added “illegally” to the building.
“Defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress’s blessing,” he claimed.
The board added Trump’s name earlier this year, only to have Cooper allege that Congress must approve all such changes.
The problem is that the board has explained “without such appropriate recognition” it’s unlikely that Trump would push for finances needed for those desperately needed renovations.
