WASHINGTON — The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted Tuesday to close the iconic venue, hours after a federal judge again blocked efforts to restore President Donald Trump’s name to the building.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board cannot add an inscription acknowledging Trump’s role in renovations or rename associated grounds without congressional approval. The decision came just before the board meeting.
President Trump, who chairs the board, announced the closure on social media, citing safety concerns and the need for major reconstruction. He said renovations — for which Congress has allocated substantial funding — would not proceed unless a higher court allows the name addition.
Judge’s Ruling
In a 22-page opinion, Judge Cooper wrote that the board “cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress’s blessing.” The ruling reinforces an earlier order that had required the temporary removal of Trump’s name from the facade.
The living memorial to President John F. Kennedy is governed by federal statute that places significant authority with Congress over changes to its memorial character.
Board Action and Trump Response
The Trump-aligned board voted to close the center for what it described as necessary safety and structural work. Trump said the closing would take effect immediately but that the large-scale renovation could not begin until the naming dispute is resolved in the administration’s favor, potentially at the Supreme Court.
Democratic members of the board and lawmakers have opposed the naming effort, arguing it improperly politicizes a national cultural institution dedicated to Kennedy’s memory. Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board member, has been involved in legal challenges to the changes.
What Happens Next
The closure creates uncertainty for scheduled performances, staff, and the broader arts community in Washington. The center has long been one of the nation’s premier venues for theater, music, dance, and public events.
Legal proceedings are expected to continue in the D.C. Circuit. Trump has indicated the Justice Department will appeal. Whether the physical closure remains in effect or is stayed pending further rulings remains to be seen.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over the role of presidential influence in cultural institutions and the limits of executive-aligned boards when federal memorial statutes are involved.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper: “Simply put, Defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress’s blessing.”
Source: Federal court ruling, September 15, 2026.
