The federal judge’s decision to block the Kennedy Center’s renaming and to bar a full two-year closure for renovations has sparked a sharp reaction from President Trump, who called the ruling unfair and announced plans to work with Congress on the center’s future.
On Friday, a federal judge ruled that the Board of Trustees exceeded its authority when it voted to add “TRUMP” to the Kennedy Center’s name and that the center could not be shuttered for an extended renovation. The ruling rests on Congress’ 1964 act renaming the facility for President John F. Kennedy, which the judge said clearly reserves naming authority to lawmakers. “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” the judge wrote, reinforcing the legal basis for his decision.
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U.S. District Court Judge Christoper R. Cooper issued his ruling on Friday, saying that the center’s Board of Trustees overstepped its authority by “unilaterally” voting to change the name.
Congress renamed the facility in 1964 to honor President John F. Kennedy after his assassination. Cooper ruled Friday that Congress’ move to rename the center back then “makes the institution’s name abundantly clear,” and that lawmakers “took pains to ensure that no other memorial-like dedication would grace the Center’s public spaces.”
“Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it,” Cooper said.
The judge also found the board’s plan to close the center for two full years unnecessary, saying renovations could proceed without complete closure. That portion of the ruling aims to keep the performing arts venue accessible to the public during the work. The board had planned to close after the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations in July, arguing major repairs required an extended shutdown.
Cooper also ruled against the Board’s decision to close the center for two years for renovations, arguing that repairs could be done without completely closing the facility.
The board voted in March to close the facility after America’s 250th birthday celebrations in July.
The move to add Trump’s name followed an overhaul of the center’s leadership earlier, when Trump initially named himself to the board and later installed Ric Grenell as interim chair. Those changes came amid criticism of the center’s maintenance and fundraising under prior management, with officials pointing to deferred repairs and a need for a major facelift. The administration framed the effort as part of a broader plan to restore and beautify Washington, D.C., including public spaces and monuments.
Trump publicly reacted to the ruling on his social platform, summing up his attitude in blunt fashion with “Fuggedaboutit”:
In other words, if that how you want to go with it, that’s just fine with me.
The Trump post reads: (emphasis added)
Shockingly, a Judge appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, Christopher Cooper, ruled that The Kennedy Center, which was going to close in early July for largescale renovations and construction due to years of neglect, decay, and poor maintenance, and which was to be transformed by the Trump Administration into the Finest Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World, is not allowed to close for these renovations, which would not be possible to properly do without such a closure. Additionally, Judge Cooper ruled that the 36 Member Board of Trustees, which unanimously voted to add the name “TRUMP” onto the former Kennedy Center, making it The Trump Kennedy Center, did not have the right to do such an addition, and the name, “TRUMP,” must be removed.
The Kennedy Center has lost, over the years, prior to our getting involved a short while ago, Hundreds of Millions of Dollars — In some cases, including ridiculous construction jobs that were done, over 100 Million Dollars a year. I took great pride in taking over a losing Institution, and looked forward to making it into a Great and Prestigious WINNER for Washington, D.C., and indeed, the United States of America. Unfortunately, Judge Cooper and the Radical Left would rather see it DIE than have President Trump transform it into something that everyone could be proud of, much as I have done, in many cases, throughout my life, and recently, with all of the construction, renovations, and “fix ups” that we have completed with the Department of Interior on Waterfalls, Fountains, Monuments, and other things of Beauty that we have brought back to life in a now SAFE AND SECURE, after Record Setting Crime, Washington, D.C., which is thriving like, perhaps, never before!
Therefore, based on the fact that the Radical Left Democrats care more about opposing your favorite President, ME, than saving a dying Performing Arts Center, almost all of which lose large amounts of money throughout the Country, we are going to be working with Congress to transfer this failing Institution back to them so they can make a determination as to what to do with it. Judge Cooper was given a presentation by leading Building and Construction Experts as to how structurally dangerous the Building is, with rotting beams, parking areas that are subject to collapse, and various other Life and Safety problems, in addition to the fact that it also needs a MAJOR renovation, from an aesthetic standpoint, but he was not “swayed,” and said he wants the Building to, incredibly, remain open and, therefore, dangerous. Judge Cooper should be ashamed of himself! I cannot be involved with a situation where danger to the Public is allowed to flourish in plain and open sight. Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into “NEVER NEVER LAND.” There has never been a President of the United States who has been treated so unfairly by the Courts as I but, that’s OK, I will continue to do, what is considered to be, a great job for the wonderful people of our Country. I have instructed the Department of Commerce to make all necessary arrangements with Congress to allow a full and complete transfer of this Institution, giving them the responsibility for its Operation, Maintenance, and Management. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
The legal fight over the Kennedy Center’s name and its renovation timeline is likely to continue as officials and lawmakers consider next steps. For now, the court’s ruling stands and the public will watch how the White House and Congress react to the judge’s restrictions.
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