The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., faces the possibility of demolition after refusing to display President Donald Trump’s name on its façade, according to statements made by the president. Trump has linked the renaming of the venue to the release of federal funds allocated for its renovation.

During a recent appearance, Trump indicated that the concert hall “will end up being ripped down” if his name is not prominently added to the building. He cited a congressional appropriation of more than $257 million designated for repairs but suggested that the funds might be withheld unless the renaming occurs. “For us as an administration to want to do that, I think the Trump administration should be recognized,” he said, framing the rebranding as a condition for the center’s survival.

This week, the board governing the Kennedy Center, appointed largely by Trump following a controversial reshuffling last year, voted to close the venue for two years. The area surrounding the building has also been closed to the public, raising concerns among legal advocates and cultural stakeholders. A federal judge has since ordered the management to respond to a legal motion challenging the closure.

One member of the legal team opposing the shutdown described an incident in which a forklift struck the building’s pillars multiple times, suggesting potential safety concerns or neglect. The controversy traces back to last year when Trump dismissed several Kennedy Center trustees and installed a board aligned with his administration. His name was briefly added to the center’s façade before a judge ruled that it must be removed.

The dispute over the Kennedy Center’s future underscores a broader conflict between the Trump administration’s efforts to assert influence over cultural institutions and opposition from legal and preservation advocates. As the legal process unfolds, the fate of the iconic performing arts venue remains uncertain.