Fencing goes up around main Kennedy Center building after board vote

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 17, 2026

The Kennedy Center in Washington closed most of its main building for extensive renovations following a board vote amid a legal battle over adding former President Trump’s name to the facade. The closure, which contrasts with prior phased maintenance practices, raises questions about the center’s governance and the project’s future, as court orders and congressional approval continue to influence the outcome.

Fencing was erected around the main building of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on Wednesday, following a board vote to close most of the facility for extensive renovations. The decision, made during a closed-door Zoom meeting on September 15, came amid a legal dispute over efforts to add former President Donald Trump’s name to the center’s facade.

The board, which includes members largely appointed by Trump or aligned with his administration, approved the closure despite a federal judge’s order blocking the institution from reinstating Trump’s name on the building. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the board’s attempt to honor Trump with an inscription violated a previous order and federal statutes requiring Congressional approval for memorial installations at the center.

President Trump responded publicly, stating on his social media platform that the renovation project—which Congress has funded with $257 million—would not proceed unless the court permits the addition of his name. He described the renovation as a “very large and complex job” that depends on the outcome of an appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court. According to a draft resolution initially proposed before being removed from the board’s agenda, Trump indicated he would not contribute his own funds to the project unless his honorary inscription was allowed.

The closure resulted in restricted access to the main facility, with both pedestrian and vehicle entry blocked as security personnel informed visitors that the building was not open. The center’s theater wing, known as the REACH, remains operational during the renovations, which officials anticipate will last approximately two years.

The decision to close the Kennedy Center contrasts with prior approaches to maintenance at the institution. Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democratic trustee of the center and plaintiff in a legal challenge against the closure, criticized the move as unnecessary and solely motivated by Trump’s personal interests. Beatty emphasized that historically the Kennedy Center has conducted phased renovations to remain open, as is standard practice in major performing arts venues nationwide. She also described the board’s actions as a breach of fiduciary duty.

The legal backdrop includes a May ruling from Judge Cooper that blocked an earlier plan to shutter the center, citing insufficient information from the board to justify closure. Since then, an independent assessment uncovered leaks and other structural issues, prompting the current closure decision. However, Cooper clarified at a recent hearing that his previous order does not prevent routine maintenance while the center remains operational.

During the hearing, Cooper also questioned federal attorneys on whether the Kennedy Center, which operates as a trust, is eligible to file for bankruptcy, a point on which the government had no definitive answer. The future of the renovations and potential renaming remains uncertain, pending ongoing court proceedings and the board’s compliance with federal law.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.