Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board votes to close for 2-year renovation, defies court order on naming

Published Aug 13, 09:18 PM UTC

The Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board voted to close the center for two years for renovations in Trump's image, and to place a plaque reading 'Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump' on the building, circumventing a law that prohibits additional memorials in public areas. This follows a previous attempt to close the center in May that was blocked by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who called the decision 'ill-informed and seemingly preordained.' Judge Cooper must still review the new closure plan. Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, who successfully sued the center in May, condemned the vote as a 'transparent effort to circumvent the court's ruling.' The article notes that Trump's takeover has damaged the institution, with ticket sales plummeting and cultural legitimacy suffering.