President Donald Trump claimed the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is in a “virtual state of collapse” and poses a danger to people after a judge ruled again Trump could not rename the building after himself.
President Donald Trump is seen aboard Air Force One checking a large printout on the Kennedy Center after landing at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sept. 16, 2026.
The president's comments come after a federal judge on Tuesday blocked the performing arts center's board from adding a tribute to Trump on the building or site.
The fight over the Kennedy Center is not slowing down after President Trump made planned renovations contingent on his name appearing on the building while a Trump-aligned board voted to close the venue down.
The center remained closed Wednesday as management cited “imminent life-safety risks” and a federal judge ordered officials to respond to a challenge to the shutdown.
President Donald Trump was photographed reading a placard that said, “Kennedy Center DEMOLITION” on Air Force One late on Wednesday night. The photo was taken from outside the plane through the small windows of the aircraft, only showing Trump’s head in one and the giant placard in the other.
By Sunlen Serfaty, Kit Maher, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump was pictured on Wednesday night reviewing a poster that appears to read, “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED,” after he threatened consequences if his effort to add his name to the performing arts institution fails.
CNN By Sunlen Serfaty, Katelyn Polantz, Kit Maher, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump was pictured reviewing a poster that appears to read, “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED,” hours before his administration told a judge the arts institution had to be closed due to “structural deterioration” it characteriz…
President Donald Trump already has plans to demolish the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. One day after a federal judge ordered Trump to finally give up on plastering his name on the Kennedy Center, and the president’s handpicked board of trustees voted to close the center, Trump was …
President Trump continues to press to have his name affixed to the Kennedy Center while warning it could be closed or demolished if not recognized; new photos show him viewing materials suggesting demolition amid ongoing renovations.
In the exclusive image captured by AFP photographer Brendan Smialowski late Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews, the Republican leader was seen through the windows of Air Force One holding a placard with visible text in red declaring: "Kennedy Center DEMOLIS..."
WASHINGTON — President Trump was pictured Wednesday night looking over shocking plans to level the iconic Kennedy Center for the Arts — shortly after telling reporters the building could be “ripped down” if he didn’t receive “recognition” for attempting to renovate the facility.
President Trump was seen on Air Force One looking at a placard that appears to depict the potential demolition of the Kennedy Center amid an ongoing legal battle over getting his name on the building and starting renovations.
WASHINGTON >> Lawyers working to keep the Kennedy Center open and Donald Trump’s name off its facade submitted new evidence today, citing the U.S. president’s comments and a photo referring to the performing arts center’s demolition.
