Kennedy Center board to decide on programming options amid legal dispute
6 verified3 unconfirmed
Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio has accused the Kennedy Center’s board, chaired by President Donald Trump, of allowing the venue to become a “lifeless husk” by failing to resume regular shows and programming. The allegation comes in a legal battle that began after the board voted to rename the center after Trump and announced a two-year closure for renovations. A federal judge last month blocked the closure and ordered Trump’s name removed from the building, which took place June 13. The judge also directed the administration to detail plans for public access and programming after July 5. In a Friday court filing, the Kennedy Center said its board will meet in mid-July to choose among three options: full closure, partial closure with limited programming, or phased closures with more programming. Beatty’s lawyers have asked the court to order weekly updates on steps taken to resume operations, while the Justice Department argues the judge’s order did not require rescheduling canceled shows.
What’s verified
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked a planned two-year closure of the Kennedy Center for renovations and ordered President Donald Trump’s name removed from the building.
Workers removed Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center facade on June 13.
The Kennedy Center board will meet in mid-July to decide between a full closure with no public programs, a partial closure with some continued access and limited programming, or a coordinated series of phased closures with more programming.
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio board member, filed the lawsuit in December 2025 and has accused the board of “willfully sabotaging” the center and planning to turn it into a “lifeless husk.”
The Justice Department said the judge’s order “did not affirmatively require the Board to reschedule programming that had previously been cancelled or to seek new programming.”
Beatty’s legal team asked the court to order weekly updates from the government on steps taken to resume programming.
Not yet confirmed
According to a single report, the board stripped all 23 ex officio members of voting rights in May 2025.
According to a single report, Trump stated in May 2025 that under previous leadership the center “wasted millions and millions of dollars and handed us a budget deficit of $26 million” and that programming was “out of control with rampant political propaganda, DEI, and inappropriate shows.”
According to a single report, Beatty’s lawyers criticized the Kennedy Center for leaving a tarp covering the area where Trump’s name was removed.
Key figures
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio)
President Donald Trump
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper
Kennedy Center Executive Director Matt Floca
Sources: CBS News, foxnews.com
