The U.S. Department of Justice has warned that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., faces potential demolition if President Donald Trump’s name is not incorporated into its designation, according to recent court filings. Justice Department attorneys argued that without such recognition, donor funding for crucial renovations would cease, jeopardizing the cultural landmark’s future.
In a court filing late Monday, the department described the center as a “decrepit, dilapidated, crumbling building” that is “required to be taken down” if necessary renovations are not undertaken. This dire assessment comes amid a protracted legal battle over attempts to add Trump’s name to the institution, which was established as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
The current controversy stems from a previous attempt to inscribe “Donald J. Trump” on the building’s facade, which was halted by a federal court in May following a lawsuit. Subsequently, the center’s board of trustees, described as Trump-aligned, voted again to integrate the president’s name through alternative phrasing. These proposals included appending “Renovated and Restored By President Donald J. Trump” under the existing title on the facade, or potentially renaming the plaza in front of the center to honor the president.
However, these revised efforts have also drawn legal challenges. Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center, has again petitioned the federal court to block the renaming attempts, asserting they constitute “clear violations of the Kennedy Center statute” that prohibits the board from turning the center into a memorial for anyone other than President Kennedy.
The Justice Department’s filing on Monday detailed a grim outlook for the center, suggesting that an order blocking the board from “appropriately recognizing President Trump” would lead to donors fleeing, financial contributions drying up, and structural rehabilitation ceasing. The department contends that without these efforts, the expertise and funding necessary for rebuilding and renovation would be insufficient, leading to the center’s potential demolition and replacement with less fitting structures, such as an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Potomac River.
This is not the first time the board has invoked fundraising concerns related to Trump’s name. A judicial panel in July had previously noted that such claims lacked specific factual evidence. The Kennedy Center has reportedly faced financial difficulties and decreased attendance since Trump’s increased involvement, with some artists canceling performances.
The legal proceedings are set to continue, with a federal judge scheduled to hear arguments on the latest challenge. The Justice Department’s strategy appears to be distinguishing these proposed additions from a formal renaming, arguing that phrases like “Endowed by the Trump Kennedy Center Fund” or acknowledging restoration efforts do not equate to creating a memorial, which is specifically prohibited by statute for individuals other than President Kennedy.
In a related development, the Kennedy Center board informed a federal judge on Thursday that it would delay any attempt to add President Trump’s name to the building or grounds until at least October 8. This one-month postponement followed a hearing where the center and the Justice Department faced pointed questions from District Judge Christopher Cooper regarding the proposed September 8 date for adding the inscription. Judge Cooper, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, had previously ruled that only Congress has the authority to rename the center, which was established by law as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
The board’s latest proposals aim to add language such as “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump” and rename the surrounding complex as “President Donald J. Trump Plaza.” The administration’s argument is that these changes do not constitute a formal renaming, as the institution’s official name would remain unchanged. However, Judge Cooper has expressed skepticism, questioning whether such designations could lead to other parts of the complex being named after various presidents or donors, potentially undermining the original congressional intent.
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