{"id":43625,"date":"2026-08-14T05:10:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T00:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=43625"},"modified":"2026-08-14T05:10:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T00:10:26","slug":"trump-aligned-kennedy-center-board-again-votes-to-shut-down-the-arts-complex-npr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=43625","title":{"rendered":"Trump-aligned Kennedy Center board again votes to shut down the arts complex : NPR"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"storytext\">\n<div id=\"resg-s1-138629\" class=\"bucketwrap image large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 5704;&#10;        --source-height: 3784;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg 1800w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1025px) 650px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3784+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"A photo of the exterior of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in June. For months, a tarp has covered the arts complex's facade, ever since a federal judge ruled that President Trump's name was unlawfully added to the center.\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                A photo of the exterior of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in June. For months, a tarp has covered the arts complex&#8217;s facade, ever since a federal judge ruled that President Trump&#8217;s name was unlawfully added to the center.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Alex Wroblewski\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Alex Wroblewski\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On Thursday, the board of the Kennedy Center voted a second time to shut down most of the Washington, D.C., arts complex for what is being described as a two-year major renovation plan, according to a person  briefed on the vote.<\/p>\n<p>In March, the center&#8217;s board <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/03\/17\/nx-s1-5749395\/kennedy-center-board-votes-to-close-venue-for-two-years-for-renovations\" target=\"_blank\">approved<\/a> a full shutdown of the complex for major renovations, but a federal judge later ruled to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/29\/nx-s1-5839349\/president-trump-kennedy-center-name-judge-order\" target=\"_blank\">temporarily block<\/a> the planned closure, saying that no board members had &#8220;sufficient information&#8221; to make such a decision. <\/p>\n<p>In a test of both the same judge&#8217;s previous ruling and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/07\/08\/nx-s1-5886099\/appeals-court-denies-president-trumps-request-to-halt-removing-his-name-from-the-kennedy-center\" target=\"_blank\">related appeals court ruling<\/a>, the board also voted on Thursday to put President Trump&#8217;s name back on the center&#8217;s entry, calling the complex, &#8220;Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-backstage-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap backstage\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5930349-100\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5793830\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/04\/22\/nx-s1-5793830\/kennedy-center-renovation-closure\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/22\\\/nx-s1-5793830\\\/kennedy-center-renovation-closure&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/800x800+335+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F4a%2F14372d5544be820365787e6b5073%2F2026-04-08-donor-renovation-tour-106.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/800x800+335+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F4a%2F14372d5544be820365787e6b5073%2F2026-04-08-donor-renovation-tour-106.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/800x800+335+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F4a%2F14372d5544be820365787e6b5073%2F2026-04-08-donor-renovation-tour-106.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/800x800+335+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F4a%2F14372d5544be820365787e6b5073%2F2026-04-08-donor-renovation-tour-106.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/800x800+335+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F4a%2F14372d5544be820365787e6b5073%2F2026-04-08-donor-renovation-tour-106.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/800x800+335+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F4a%2F14372d5544be820365787e6b5073%2F2026-04-08-donor-renovation-tour-106.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/800x800+335+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F4a%2F14372d5544be820365787e6b5073%2F2026-04-08-donor-renovation-tour-106.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/800x800+335+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F38%2F4a%2F14372d5544be820365787e6b5073%2F2026-04-08-donor-renovation-tour-106.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"A photo provided by the Kennedy Center shows staining on the exterior of the building. &quot;Improper installation traps moisture behind stone panels, causing staining and internal corrosion,&quot; the Kennedy Center said. &quot;Panels and granite paving slabs will be replaced with corrected drainage systems.&quot;\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5930349-100\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>In this most recent vote, the board elected to close the center&#8217;s main building, while keeping <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kennedy-center.org\/reach\/\" target=\"_blank\">The REACH<\/a>, a 2019 addition, open for limited programming and as a memorial to the late President John F. Kennedy. According to the plan approved by the board, the $250 million project includes structural repairs, new marble floors, nearly $12 million in &#8220;acoustical improvements&#8221; and a plan to temporarily move the famed, eight-foot, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kennedy-center.org\/memorial\/\" target=\"_blank\">bronze bust of Kennedy<\/a> that sits in the center&#8217;s main foyer. Under this plan, the main campus would reopen in the summer of 2028. The details of the proposal and the potential name change were first reported by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/08\/13\/arts\/design\/kennedy-center-closure-board-vote-trump.html\" target=\"_blank\"><em>The New York Times<\/em><\/a>. The individual who was briefed on the vote spoke to NPR on the condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak publicly.<\/p>\n<p>The board&#8217;s decisions will be subject to the federal judge&#8217;s approval. Thursday&#8217;s board meeting was held by Zoom, and was not public.<\/p>\n<p>In the days leading up to Thursday&#8217;s vote, Democratic legislators who serve as ex-officio Kennedy Center trustees told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/style\/2026\/08\/05\/kennedy-center-board-lacks-materials-needed-closure-vote-senator-says\/\" target=\"_blank\">the <em>Washington Post<\/em><\/a> that they had still not been given access to any assessments of what such a closure would mean for the long-term wellbeing of the institution. The arts complex is chaired by President Trump, and the majority of its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kennedy-center.org\/about-us\/leadership\/trustees\/\" target=\"_blank\">current board<\/a> are Trump allies appointed by the president.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-secondary-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap secondary\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<aside id=\"mid-story-recommendations-mount-piano\" class=\"mid-story-recommendations-mount-piano\" aria-label=\"recommended stories\"\/>\n<!-- END ID=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" CLASS=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" ARIA-LABEL=\"RECOMMENDED STORIES\" --><\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5930349-101\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5839349\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/29\/nx-s1-5839349\/president-trump-kennedy-center-name-judge-order\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/29\\\/nx-s1-5839349\\\/president-trump-kennedy-center-name-judge-order&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4000x4000+812+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2Feb%2F1c50f1d84ae288a9b71854b0e28f%2Fap26112684172567.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4000x4000+812+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2Feb%2F1c50f1d84ae288a9b71854b0e28f%2Fap26112684172567.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4000x4000+812+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2Feb%2F1c50f1d84ae288a9b71854b0e28f%2Fap26112684172567.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4000x4000+812+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2Feb%2F1c50f1d84ae288a9b71854b0e28f%2Fap26112684172567.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4000x4000+812+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2Feb%2F1c50f1d84ae288a9b71854b0e28f%2Fap26112684172567.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4000x4000+812+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2Feb%2F1c50f1d84ae288a9b71854b0e28f%2Fap26112684172567.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4000x4000+812+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2Feb%2F1c50f1d84ae288a9b71854b0e28f%2Fap26112684172567.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/4000x4000+812+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fed%2Feb%2F1c50f1d84ae288a9b71854b0e28f%2Fap26112684172567.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"President Donald Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center in December of 2025. This photo was taken in April 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5930349-101\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>NPR has requested comment from the Kennedy Center, but did not receive an immediate reply. It is unclear whether or not the construction management firm named in the plans, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jll.com\/en-us\/services\/project-management\/construction\" target=\"_blank\">JLL<\/a>, has any experience with arts venues that feature unamplified performances, such as the orchestras, solo and chamber instrumentalists, opera companies and dance ensembles that have comprised much of the Kennedy Center&#8217;s programming for decades. It is unclear how many companies bid on the contract, or how the firm was selected.<\/p>\n<p>Last December, one of the center&#8217;s ex-officio board members, Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, filed a federal lawsuit against Trump and the board to reverse the center&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/03\/26\/nx-s1-5762241\/kennedy-center-name-lawsuit-trump\" target=\"_blank\">name change<\/a> and halt the renovation plans. In March, a group of eight architecture and culture groups filed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/03\/23\/nx-s1-5757505\/kennedy-center-trump-lawsuit\" target=\"_blank\">separate suit<\/a> to block the renovation. In May, the judge in the Beatty suit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/29\/nx-s1-5839349\/president-trump-kennedy-center-name-judge-order\" target=\"_blank\">temporarily blocked<\/a> the Trump closure plan. Judge Christopher Cooper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/05\/29\/nx-s1-5839349\/president-trump-kennedy-center-name-judge-order\" target=\"_blank\">wrote<\/a>: &#8220;<em>None <\/em>of the board members had sufficient information in advance of the March 16 meeting to make a well-considered decision to close the center.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In February, Trump wrote on <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/115997939705121174\" target=\"_blank\">Truth Social<\/a> that there had been &#8220;a one year review of The Trump Kennedy Center, that has taken place with Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants&#8221; to decide between a complete or partial closure for his intended renovations. In his May ruling, Judge Cooper <a href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.dcd.287972\/gov.uscourts.dcd.287972.50.0_1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">wrote<\/a>: &#8220;The evidence of any such review is nil.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In a statement emailed to NPR Thursday afternoon, Rep. Beatty said: &#8220;This morning&#8217;s decision to close the center and the surprise agenda item to put Donald Trump&#8217;s name back on the building was more of the same. This latest development is a transparent effort to circumvent the court&#8217;s ruling, and flies in the face of the statutes that Congress passed. I will continue to fight for this treasured national monument.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-third-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap third\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5930349-102\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5928311\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/08\/11\/nx-s1-5928311\/chuck-redd-kennedy-center\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/11\\\/nx-s1-5928311\\\/chuck-redd-kennedy-center&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3746x3744+416+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Ffe%2Fd0bc4fb3415aba0561dbc8624876%2Fgettyimages-2289384671.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3746x3744+416+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Ffe%2Fd0bc4fb3415aba0561dbc8624876%2Fgettyimages-2289384671.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3746x3744+416+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Ffe%2Fd0bc4fb3415aba0561dbc8624876%2Fgettyimages-2289384671.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3746x3744+416+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Ffe%2Fd0bc4fb3415aba0561dbc8624876%2Fgettyimages-2289384671.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3746x3744+416+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Ffe%2Fd0bc4fb3415aba0561dbc8624876%2Fgettyimages-2289384671.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3746x3744+416+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Ffe%2Fd0bc4fb3415aba0561dbc8624876%2Fgettyimages-2289384671.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3746x3744+416+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Ffe%2Fd0bc4fb3415aba0561dbc8624876%2Fgettyimages-2289384671.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3746x3744+416+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff2%2Ffe%2Fd0bc4fb3415aba0561dbc8624876%2Fgettyimages-2289384671.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center, as seen from the Washington Monument, on Aug. 10.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5930349-102\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>The center, once a bustling arts complex that offered <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kennedy-center.org\/our-story\/history\/\" target=\"_blank\">free public performances 365 days a year<\/a> along with its ticketed concerts and educational offerings, now sits largely empty. In January, one of the center&#8217;s primary resident organizations, Washington National Opera, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/01\/10\/nx-s1-5671107\/kennedy-center-canceled-trump-washington-national-opera-wno\" target=\"_blank\">left<\/a>, and many marquee artists <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/01\/20\/nx-s1-5675192\/kennedy-center-canceled-performances\" target=\"_blank\">canceled<\/a> their planned performances after Trump&#8217;s name <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2025\/12\/18\/nx-s1-5648519\/kennedy-center-name-change-trump\" target=\"_blank\">was added<\/a> to the center in December 2025. Ticket sales plummeted, and scores of Kennedy Center staffers and administrators have also departed.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, the <em>Washington Post<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/style\/2026\/08\/12\/trumps-kennedy-center-takeover-pushes-national-symphony-orchestra-into-crisis\/\" target=\"_blank\">reported<\/a> that another resident artistic organization, the National Symphony Orchestra \u2014 whose budget is tethered to the complex \u2014 has been pushed to &#8220;the deepest financial crisis in its recent history,&#8221; an assessment that multiple internal sources who were not authorized to speak with the media shared with NPR.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, a federal appeals court <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/07\/08\/nx-s1-5886099\/appeals-court-denies-president-trumps-request-to-halt-removing-his-name-from-the-kennedy-center\" target=\"_blank\">denied<\/a> President Trump&#8217;s request to stop the removal of his name from the arts complex, saying that the president had failed to prove that the Kennedy Center would be &#8220;irreparably injured&#8221; without Trump&#8217;s name attached to it.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resnx-s1-5930349-103\" class=\"bucketwrap internallink insettwocolumn inset2col \">\n<div class=\"bucket img\">\n                  <a class=\"imagewrap\" id=\"featuredStackSquareImagenx-s1-5876368\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/06\/30\/nx-s1-5876368\/how-does-the-kennedy-center-board-make-decisions-this-legal-filing-sheds-some-light\" data-metrics-ga4=\"{&quot;category&quot;:&quot;recirculation&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:&quot;story_recirculation_click&quot;,&quot;clickType&quot;:&quot;inset box&quot;,&quot;clickUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.npr.org\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/30\\\/nx-s1-5876368\\\/how-does-the-kennedy-center-board-make-decisions-this-legal-filing-sheds-some-light&quot;}\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3825x3824+931+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F29%2Fe028633d437b858a6b085d7c49f2%2Fgettyimages-2283268964.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3825x3824+931+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F29%2Fe028633d437b858a6b085d7c49f2%2Fgettyimages-2283268964.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3825x3824+931+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F29%2Fe028633d437b858a6b085d7c49f2%2Fgettyimages-2283268964.jpg\" data-format=\"webp\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3825x3824+931+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F29%2Fe028633d437b858a6b085d7c49f2%2Fgettyimages-2283268964.jpg\" data-original=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3825x3824+931+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F29%2Fe028633d437b858a6b085d7c49f2%2Fgettyimages-2283268964.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3825x3824+931+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F29%2Fe028633d437b858a6b085d7c49f2%2Fgettyimages-2283268964.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3825x3824+931+0\/resize\/100\/quality\/100\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F29%2Fe028633d437b858a6b085d7c49f2%2Fgettyimages-2283268964.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3825x3824+931+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F22%2F29%2Fe028633d437b858a6b085d7c49f2%2Fgettyimages-2283268964.jpg\" data-format=\"jpeg\" class=\"img lazyOnLoad\" alt=\"The Kennedy Center, the facade of which remains covered with a tarp, is seen in Washington, DC, on June 28, 2026. A US federal judge asked on June 24 for an explanation for why a tarpaulin continues to cover the facade of the Kennedy Center where President Donald Trump's name was recently removed. District Judge Christopher Cooper gave the board of trustees of the performing arts venue until the end of July to explain &quot;the purpose for and status of the tarp and scaffolding that Defendants have erected on the front portico of the Center.&quot; (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI \/ AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/a>         <\/p>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKETBLOCK\" -->\n      <\/div>\n<p><!-- END CLASS=\"BUCKET IMG\" -->\n   <\/div>\n<p><!-- END ID=\"RESNX-S1-5930349-103\" CLASS=\"BUCKETWRAP INTERNALLINK INSETTWOCOLUMN INSET2COL \" --><\/p>\n<p>On Monday, a Washington, D.C., superior court judge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2026\/08\/11\/nx-s1-5928311\/chuck-redd-kennedy-center\" target=\"_blank\">ordered<\/a> the Kennedy Center to pay Chuck Redd, a jazz musician, more than $252,000 to cover his legal fees after the center sued him. Redd had canceled a December 2025 performance <br \/>after Trump&#8217;s name was added to the complex<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 it was a Christmas Eve show that Redd had hosted there for nearly 20 years . The Kennedy Center told NPR that it intends to appeal the decision.<\/p>\n<p>A large tarp has covered the building&#8217;s entrance since June, when the center complied with the court&#8217;s order to remove Trump&#8217;s name from the complex. As of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wV7XEoInIfs\" target=\"_blank\">Thursday<\/a>, the tarp remains in place.<\/p>\n<p><em>This digital story was edited by Jennifer Vanasco.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A photo of the exterior of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in June. For months, a tarp has covered the arts complex&#8217;s facade, ever since a federal judge ruled that President Trump&#8217;s name was unlawfully added to the center. Alex Wroblewski\/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alex Wroblewski\/AFP via Getty Images On&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/5704x3210+0+0\/resize\/1400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6f%2F03%2F94edea4c4a52acc3dc8acbe9d918%2Fgettyimages-2280720581.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=43625"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43625\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/43626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}