The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., risks “certain fiscal collapse” in the coming weeks unless President Donald Trump’s name is reinstated on the building, according to its leadership.
Both The New York Times and Washington Post report that a 57-page draft resolution sent to the venue’s board, chaired by Trump, warns of impending bankruptcy. This urgent message was shared ahead of a special meeting on Tuesday, indicating that the centre may soon be unable to pay staff or maintain operations.
The resolution claims Trump has offered to assist in fundraising to keep the centre open, on the condition that he receives “appropriate recognition.” It includes ten suggested inscriptions to accompany the building’s name, one suggesting: “Renovation Restoration and Endowment overseen by President Donald J Trump and the Trump Kennedy Center Fund.”
Norm Eisen and Nathaniel Zelinsky, lawyers for Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, who opposes Trump’s branding, stated: “This constant effort to add Donald Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center facade is the definition of insanity. This is now the third attempt to deface this sacred memorial and turn it into a vanity project for one man’s ego.”
The Independent has contacted the Kennedy Center and the White House for comments.
In December last year, Trump placed his name on the Kennedy Center, which memorialises President John F. Kennedy. This sparked a significant drop in ticket sales and caused artists to withdraw from scheduled engagements over political concerns.
In May, District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that Congress had specified the venue was “only intended to memorialise Kennedy” and completed the removal of Trump’s name by June 12, although the physical removal of the name took longer than expected.
Amidst ongoing legal disputes, the Department of Justice has warned that the centre faces “financial ruin” without Trump’s name. “Many donors were only willing to support the Center on the condition that ‘Trump’ was on the building,” stated the centre’s lawyers in a court filing.
The board voted on August 13 to reinstate Trump’s name and proposed a two-year renovation project, estimated to cost at least $250 million, scheduled for October 8. The DOJ has indicated the centre might even need to be demolished if the controversy surrounding Trump’s name isn’t resolved.
Recent heavy rainfall caused part of the ceiling to collapse in the Grand Foyer, fortifying calls for redevelopment in line with Trump’s desires, although no injuries were reported.
