Federal Judge Rules Trump Cannot Demolish the Kennedy Center Without 30-Day Notice
A federal judge ruled that President Trump cannot demolish the Kennedy Center without first providing a 30-day notice. The ruling came after the center's board of directors voted to close the building, citing poor condition and finances. On Wednesday, Trump said the complex could be "ripped down" if his name is not displayed on its main building.
Single source · Not corroborated
A federal judge issued an order Wednesday preventing President Trump from demolishing the Kennedy Center, requiring a 30-day notice before any such action could proceed. The ruling followed a vote by the center's board of directors to close the institution, which the board attributed to the building's condition and financial situation.
Confusion over the closure's scope emerged the same day. The center's executive director, Matt Floca, described the closure as "temporary," according to NPR's Anastasia Tsioulcas. A staff member from a law firm representing Ohio Congresswoman Joyce Beatty — who is suing Trump and the center's board — submitted a sworn statement claiming she witnessed construction crews installing barriers while a forklift repeatedly struck the building's pillars.
Trump has said the Kennedy Center has lost millions of dollars, though NPR reported he did not offer evidence for that claim. The president also tied any demolition threat to whether his name would appear on the main building.