For Donald Trump, Tuesday's meeting of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees had a bad star. Federal judge Christopher Cooper had just ruled a second time: The president, who is also chairman of the board of trustees, is not allowed to have his name attached to the Kennedy Center.
A victory for the Democratic representative in the House of Representatives Joyce Beatty, who had sued. She is one of the few members of the Board of Trustees who were not appointed by Trump but are ex officio members of the board.
Beatty told CNN how Trump, who attended the meeting as chairman of the board of trustees, reacted: "The president had a tantrum. He was probably angry because he lost. Very unprofessional. He wanted to blame me if the ceiling collapsed." And he was disappointed because she wouldn't let him get away with his attempts at intimidation. "But he chose the wrong person. He wants to intimidate people because he is pursuing this project because of his vanity."
Storm caused severe damage
A few days earlier, a severe storm had swept through Washington. As a result, part of the ceiling paneling in the foyer of the Kennedy Center fell down. After the board of trustees meeting, Trump announced that they had voted to close the cultural institution immediately.
The board of trustees had previously said that the building was in such poor condition that the necessary extensive renovation work would only be possible after it was closed. Rep. Beatty, however, denies that the board of trustees voted for closure: "What Trump said after the meeting and what many are now reporting about it is not true. There was no such vote. I was not in favor of such a vote. And the others - those who voted - did not make the decision as Trump claims at Truth Social."
To close or not to close?
Beatty's lawyer Nathaniel Zelinsky referred to an earlier court ruling on NPR radio. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees is not authorized to decide whether to close the Kennedy Center, especially since renovations are also possible during ongoing cultural operations.
Now, says the lawyer, we have to find out whether the doors are locked or open. "We're looking into it. There were reports of a closure last night. We demanded answers from the government and are now looking into it. If it were to be closed, that would be a serious violation of the court's order," explains Zelinsky.
Renovation only against lettering on the building
The Kennedy Center opened in 1971, created by a law passed by Congress. It is a so-called living memorial that commemorates John F. Kennedy, the president who was shot by an assassin in 1963.
Trump has been trying to get his name on the facade since last year. That's why numerous artists have refused to perform there since then, ticket sales have plummeted and benefactors have stopped donating.
Congress appropriated $257 million for the renovation. But on Tuesday, Trump made it clear: The Kennedy Center will not be renovated until his name is added to the building.
The future of the facility is uncertain. The Trump administration recently stated in court: Without acknowledgment and naming of the president on the building, it would be difficult to collect urgently needed donations. And without this money, the only option may be the demolition of the Kennedy Center.
