Kerry Kennedy criticized President Trump after the Kennedy Center board voted to close the venue's main building, accusing him of withholding funds to force his name onto the institution. The board cited structural safety problems and financial strain tied to a planned $250 million renovation. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper barred the board from installing an inscription or renaming the grounds for Trump, and Rep. Joyce Beatty has sued to block the rebrand and stop the closure.
Kerry Kennedy Blasts Trump Over Kennedy Center Closure, Says He 'Bankrupts' What He Touches
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
Kerry Kennedy, a lawyer and human rights advocate and the daughter of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, sharply criticized President Donald Trump after the Kennedy Center's board voted to close the performing arts venue's main building.
The board approved the immediate shutdown citing structural safety concerns and worsening finances tied to a planned two-year, $250 million renovation. The vote came after a federal judge blocked the board's most recent effort to add President Trump's name or an inscription crediting him with the center's restoration.
Kennedy's Remarks
"Well, this is a tragedy. You know, the American people love the Kennedy Center. They love the arts. They understand what's going on. They see the corruption of this. There is not a financial issue here. President Trump has said they have $250 million ready to hand over tomorrow. He's just withholding it because he wants his name on the building."
She added: "This is like so many other things that Trump has touched. It's a bankruptcy because he adds his name to it."
Kennedy made the comments during an appearance on CNN's OutFront. A White House representative had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
Court Action, Lawsuit And Controversy
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board could not install an inscription crediting Trump for restoring and renovating the center or rename the surrounding grounds "President Donald J. Trump Plaza." Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who sued to block the proposed rebrand and renaming, sought emergency relief to prevent the closure.
The board — whose members were appointed during the Trump administration — said the closure was required to address structural problems that allegedly threatened staff and public safety and to proceed with the planned renovation. Beatty's attorneys told The New York Times the center's abrupt closure could violate the court's injunction and might amount to contempt.
What Happens Next
The closure and the legal fight set the stage for further court proceedings to determine whether the shutdown may proceed while the injunction remains in place and whether the board can move forward with any renaming or inscription. The dispute has drawn public attention not only for its impact on the Kennedy Center and arts communities, but also for wider questions about political influence over cultural institutions.
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