Trump administration warns Kennedy Center could be knocked down if renovations don't move forward
Updated on: August 25, 2026 / 5:53 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The Trump administration suggested the Kennedy Center could be demolished if a renovation plan is blocked.
- The Justice Department cited the center's poor structural condition and financial losses as reasons for closure and renovation.
- Rep. Joyce Beatty filed a lawsuit challenging the Kennedy Center board's authority to close the venue and rename it.
- A federal judge previously blocked the center's closure and ordered the removal of Trump's name from the building.
- The Kennedy Center board recently voted again to close for renovations and add Trump's name to the building's facade.
- Beatty's lawyers argue only Congress can change the building's name and called the repeated attempts to add Trump's name a "transparent effort to rename the Center."
- The Justice Department defended the board's actions as lawful and accused Beatty of a "hyper-partisan effort."