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New Kennedy Center damage renews call for Trump-backed renovations
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A section of the ceiling collapsed in the Kennedy Center's main hallway during stormy weather, causing a large hole and debris but no injuries, highlighting the need for urgent renovations.
- The Kennedy Center's board, aligned with President Donald Trump, is seeking to close the venue for two years for $250 million in renovations and to add Trump's name to the building's facade, despite legal challenges.
- U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in May that Trump's name was added illegally and blocked the closure for renovations, but the board voted in August to restore Trump's name to the facade, arguing it is crucial for securing renovation donations.
- The ceiling collapse is cited by the center's leadership as evidence of decades of neglect and the necessity for immediate restoration, while community groups opposing the closure warn the board may exaggerate the damage to justify shutting down the center.
- Other changes at the Kennedy Center include the recent removal of a large sculpture called Blue, with no official reason given, reflecting ongoing modifications amid the controversy over the center's future.
