From Mother Jones · Sonel Cutler · · 1m 30s
Trump threatens Kennedy Center over naming dispute
After a judge blocked his name from the building's facade, the president threatened to tear it down and withheld $270 million in renovation funds.
In brief
After a judge blocked his name from the building's facade, the president threatened to tear it down and withheld $270 million in renovation funds. Trump's demand to inscribe his name on the Kennedy Center led to a court ruling against him, prompting threats to demolish the building and close it indefinitely…
Judge blocks Trump's name on Kennedy Center
A federal judge ruled for the second time that President Trump cannot inscribe his name on the Kennedy Center's facade, rejecting his demand for personal recognition on the historic arts institution.
Trump threatens to demolish the building
After losing the naming battle, Trump threatened to tear down the Kennedy Center and withheld $270 million in congressional funding for renovations, saying the building will be demolished if he doesn't get recognition.
“It'll end up being ripped down.”
Thousands protest at Kennedy Center
Furious DC residents and Kennedy Center patrons gathered outside the arts center to oppose Trump's threats, with local officials arguing the monument existed long before the president and should not be altered for his vanity.
“This is a monument that was not falling down or bankrupt before he put his hands on it.”
Kennedy Center suddenly shuttered
The Kennedy Center was abruptly closed after the court ruling, leaving the popular arts venue inaccessible to the public and staff as Trump escalated his conflict with the institution.
Pattern of DC monument closures
Trump's vanity projects have left multiple DC landmarks fenced off or inaccessible, including Lafayette Park, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, the Ellipse, and the White House, disrupting public access across the nation's capital.
What matters most
Trump's demand to inscribe his name on the Kennedy Center led to a court ruling against him, prompting threats to demolish the building and close it indefinitely.
