# Trump's Kennedy Center power play turns legal > A federal judge orders advance notice of any demolition after Trump threatens to tear down the landmark unless his name is added. - Title: Trump's Kennedy Center power play turns legal · CNBC - Summary: A federal judge orders advance notice of any demolition after Trump threatens to tear down the landmark unless his name is added. Trump is leveraging the… - Keywords: donald trump, kennedy center, joyce beatty, federal court, naming rights, demolition threat, judge christopher cooper, performing arts, washington dc, rule of law, renovation dispute, business - Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/09/17/trump-kennedy-center-demolish-beatty.html - Author: Dan Mangan - Published: 2026-09-17T14:22:45+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: donald trump, kennedy center, joyce beatty, federal court, naming rights, demolition threat, judge christopher cooper, performing arts, washington dc, rule of law, renovation dispute, business ## Trump eyes demolition poster on Air Force One A photo shows President Trump examining a poster that appears to reference the Kennedy Center being demolished, hours after he warned the building will be torn down if he doesn't get proper recognition for renovations. ## Beatty alerts judge to threat and image Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat fighting Trump's bid to add his name to the Kennedy Center, immediately filed the photo and Trump's demolition threat with federal court. ## Judge orders 30-day demolition notice Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days' advance notice before implementing any changes to renovations, including demolition of the main building. ## Trump demands recognition for renovation work Trump said the Kennedy Center needs his administration's involvement and funding, and without proper recognition, the building will close and be torn down. > if we don't do that, it's going to close, it will end up being ripped down ## White House blames Democrats for decay White House spokeswoman Liz Huston said Democrats let the Kennedy Center deteriorate for years, and Trump's intervention is necessary to prevent further decline. ## Beatty requests emergency court hearing Beatty's lawyers asked Judge Cooper to schedule an emergency hearing on what they call the unlawful closure of the Kennedy Center by its board of trustees. ## Judge denies emergency hearing request Judge Cooper rejected Beatty's request for an emergency hearing but ordered the Kennedy Center to file a detailed status report on the temporary closure and emergency repairs. ## Center closed for safety assessment The Kennedy Center's executive director temporarily closed the building due to acute structural deterioration risks, with the closure lasting seven days unless extended. ## DOJ defends temporary closure as legal The Department of Justice told the judge that the temporary closure complies with his earlier order and is necessary to assess public safety risks. ## Beatty calls closure a permanent shutdown pretext Beatty's lawyers argue the temporary closure is a pretext to justify permanently shutting down the Kennedy Center and circumvent the judge's earlier ruling. ## May ruling blocked Trump's name addition Judge Cooper previously blocked the Kennedy Center board from adding Trump's name to the building in recognition of renovations, prompting the board to vote for closure. ## Kennedy family criticizes Trump's stance Kerry Kennedy and Maria Shriver, nieces of former President Kennedy, condemned Trump's demand for naming rights as narcissistic and a distraction from public service. > how small minded, how narcissistic ## Beatty vows to defend rule of law Beatty praised the judge's order and said she will continue fighting to protect the historic institution from being demolished by the president. > I will continue to fight for the rule of law and defend this memorial ## Key takeaway Trump is leveraging the Kennedy Center's closure and renovation needs to pressure for naming rights, but a federal judge is now monitoring any major changes to the building.