The Kennedy Center, Washington’s prestigious centre of performing arts, was closed on Wednesday by order of U.S. President Donald Trump, after a judge blocked the institution from being renamed the Republican president.
The iconic building, located on the banks of the Potomac River, was walled to prevent access a day after the board approved its immediate closure, arguing for reasons of security and the need to undertake repairs.
The board’s decision came after on Tuesday federal judge Christopher Cooper blocked a new attempt to rename the institution with the name Trump.
The management argues that the building needs a profound repair because it is in a deteriorated state, but will only manage to raise funds to undertake the reforms if the institute bears the name of the Republican leader.
Trump confirmed on Tuesday in a message on his Truth Social account that the renewal “will not take place”, and therefore the center will not reopen its doors, if Justice continues to block the name change.
After returning to the White House in January 2025, the president renewed the Kennedy Center’s board and placed himself at the head of it, while hardly criticizing the building’s programming, which he called “woke.”
The new administration came to add Trump’s name to the facade, but a federal judge ordered in May to remove it, considering that the name change requires the approval of Congress.
In August, the board approved a new formula to place the president’s name on the façade by means of an inscription saying “restored and renewed by President Donald J. Bush.” Trump,” but the judge again blocked it on Tuesday, after which the management approved the closure of the building.
Trump’s efforts to seize the institution led to cancellations of performances and a drop in ticket collection.
The Kennedy Center was inaugurated in 1971 in honor of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy, murdered in 1963, is one of the main cultural complexes in the United States, with programming of opera, symphony music, theater, ballet and contemporary dance, among other disciplines.
