President Trump declared Friday that he has “no interest in continuing” to oversee operations and renovations at the Kennedy Center – and will move to transfer those responsibilities to Congress – after a federal judge ordered his name to be removed from the performing arts venue.
District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that within 14 days all physical signage bearing Trump’s name must be removed from the building and all references to a “Trump Kennedy Center” must be eliminated from official materials, in response to a lawsuit by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who is an ex-officio member of the institution’s board.
Cooper, who serves on the District Court for the District of Columbia and was appointed by former President Barack Obama, also temporarily blocked a planned two-year closure of the venue for renovations – infuriating Trump.
“Shockingly, a Judge appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, Christopher Cooper, ruled that The Kennedy Center, which was going to close in early July for largescale renovations and construction due to years of neglect, decay, and poor maintenance, and which was to be transformed by the Trump Administration into the Finest Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World, is not allowed to close for these renovations, which would not be possible to properly do without such a closure,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Additionally, Judge Cooper ruled that the 36 Member Board of Trustees, which unanimously voted to add the name ‘TRUMP’ onto the former Kennedy Center, making it The Trump Kennedy Center, did not have the right to do such an addition, and the name, ‘TRUMP,’ must be removed,” the president continued.
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The institution has lost “Hundreds of Millions of Dollars” over the years, according to the president, who said he “took great pride” and “looked forward to making it into a Great and Prestigious WINNER for Washington, D.C.,” but argued Democrats and the judge “would rather see it DIE than have President Trump transform it into something that everyone could be proud of.”
“Therefore, based on the fact that the Radical Left Democrats care more about opposing your favorite President, ME, than saving a dying Performing Arts Center, almost all of which lose large amounts of money throughout the Country, we are going to be working with Congress to transfer this failing Institution back to them so they can make a determination as to what to do with it,” the president announced.
Shortly into his second term, Trump removed several members of the Kennedy Center board, appointed new members and installed himself as chairman – claiming the previous leadership doesn’t share his “vision” of ushering in a “Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”
Richard Grenell, the president’s envoy for special missions, was also named executive director of the iconic performing arts venue and tasked with handling the day-to-day operations and implementing sweeping changes at the iconic performing arts venue.
In February, Trump announced the venue would be closing for two years, beginning on July 4, to undergo substantial renovations.
On Truth Social, Trump claimed the building is currently “structurally dangerous … , with rotting beams, parking areas that are subject to collapse, and various other Life and Safety problems,” and said he ”cannot be involved with a situation where danger to the Public is allowed to flourish in plain and open sight.”
“Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into ‘NEVER NEVER LAND,’” the president continued.
He added, “I have instructed the Department of Commerce to make all necessary arrangements with Congress to allow a full and complete transfer of this Institution, giving them the responsibility for its Operation, Maintenance, and Management.”
Congressional legislation passed in the wake of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination designated that a national cultural center — already planned for construction in Washington, DC — be named after the late commander-in-chief.
Congress has traditionally appropriated money for the center while the executive branch has been responsible for appointing board members.
Democratic lawmakers contend it is Congress, not the president, that has the authority to approve major projects and changes at the Kennedy Center.