It was born with the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. Please exit the centre by way of the Hall of States.” Soon barricades had been erected and security guards were blocking access. The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, once filled with the buzz of audiences and children, had fallen as silent as a mausoleum.
Now a high stakes legal battle is under way to prevent Donald Trump from taking a wrecking ball to the building that is both national arts complex and living memorial to the 35th president. The current White House occupant, incensed that courts have prevented his name being added to the Kennedy Center, told reporters this week: “I think that the Trump administration should certainly have recognition. Because frankly, if we don’t do that, it’s going to close.
It’ll end up being ripped down.” On social media, Trump declared the venue “destined to doom” without his intervention. The once unthinkable threat became more thinkable when an photographer took a picture of Trump aboard Air Force One, holding a placard with ominous red text: “Kennedy Center DEMOLIS...” The rest of the word was obscured by the plane’s window frame. Below was a big picture showing a yellow heavy construction vehicle scooping rubble from a torn-down building.
Trump has no legal right to demolish the facility, which was established by Congress. Critics say he is acting out of spite because he cannot get his way. Kerry Kennedy, the former president’s niece , said: “Like a child who can’t play with a toy, he wants to stomp on the toy.
This is the living memorial to a slain president. The courts have spoken, he cannot demolish it, he cannot put his name on it and he should be focused instead on his job.” The Kennedy Center did not respond to requests for comment. The 100ft structure opened in 1971 on the banks of the Potomac River.
Since then it has presented ballet, children’s theatre, comedy, contemporary dance, hip-hop, jazz, international festivals and educational programmes. The annual Kennedy Center Honors have hosted past presidents and a who’s who of US arts and culture. Trump seized control of the facility in February 2025, claimed its finances were in dire straits and fired board members who did not align with his “vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture”.
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