The Kennedy Center in Washington may face a two-year shutdown. On Tuesday, the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts once again approved the suspension of activities, citing the institution's severe financial troubles and the necessity for major renovation work.
However, it is still uncertain if the closure will be implemented. The board had made a similar decision last July, which was later overturned by federal judge Christopher Cooper, who described it as "misinformed and seemingly predetermined."
This situation is part of a broader legal dispute involving the Kennedy Center and U.S. President Donald Trump. At the heart of the conflict is Trump's request to add his name to the institution, linked to his efforts to fund the building's renovation.
In December 2025, Trump replaced the board members with individuals close to him. The new board subsequently elected him as president. Shortly after, they approved changing the center's name to include his.
This decision sparked numerous protests and a series of boycotts. Several events and concerts were canceled, including one planned for New Year's Eve.
Judge Cooper has repeatedly intervened, ruling that the name change cannot be decided solely by the board. According to the Kennedy Center's charter, any name change requires Congressional approval, which Trump has not secured.
Just on Tuesday, about an hour before the board meeting that approved the new two-year closure, Cooper issued another ruling reaffirming the illegitimacy of adding Trump's name.
The U.S. president, present at the board meeting, later commented on the decision via Truth Social. Trump stated that the Kennedy Center would close immediately, but clarified that renovation work would not commence until the legal dispute over the building's name is resolved.
The new vote, therefore, does not yet conclude the matter. The future of the Kennedy Center remains tied to both the naming controversy and potential new court rulings on the closure.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved