Public disputes concerning cultural institutions, their programming, funding, governance, naming and physical facilities, and the artists and audiences who rely on them.
Published coverage on this page: 1 case · 1 statement. Statements are ordered newest first.
After a federal judge barred two board-approved recognitions of him, Donald Trump spoke of the Kennedy Center's renovation and closure in terms of recognition for his administration. The White House and Rep. Joyce Beatty's lawyers describe what he meant differently.
Published
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25 matching statements
Role at the time: President of the United States and chair of the Kennedy Center's board of trustees, posting on his verified Truth Social account
Statement summary
In a Truth Social post on September 15, Trump wrote that the Kennedy Center board had agreed to close the building for safety reasons, that the closing would take place immediately, and that the renovation and reconstruction could not begin until the D.C. Circuit rules on the board's approved name. He wrote that if that ruling is negative and is not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, the renovation and reconstruction “will not take place,” and that Justice Department attorneys would ask for an expedited appeal.
Quotation excerpt
“The Board of The Kennedy Center today agreed, almost unanimously, to close the Building for Safety reasons, and so that it can begin the process of Reconstruction. The closing will take place immediately, however, the Renovation and…”
“The Board of The Kennedy Center today agreed, almost unanimously, to close the Building for Safety reasons, and so that it can begin the process of Reconstruction. The closing will take place immediately, however, the Renovation and Reconstruction, which is a very large and complex job, cannot begin until such time as the D.C. Circuit rules on the Board's approved name. If the ruling is a negative one, which it should not be, and is not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Reconstruction and the Renovation of The Kennedy Center will not take place.”
What this label refers to
The case's fixed reference point is Trump's stated position that the Kennedy Center's closure and renovation depend on recognition for his administration, as expressed in this September 15 Truth Social post and reaffirmed in his September 16 remarks in Charlotte. In the post Trump says the board agreed to close the building for safety reasons, that the closing is immediate, that renovation “cannot begin until such time as the D.C. Circuit rules on the Board’s approved name,” and that it “will not take place” if a negative ruling is not overturned, an outcome he says “should not be.” The closest competing label is mixed_or_conditional, because the renovation is stated as contingent on a court ruling. That loses because the contingency is the content of the position being recorded, not a qualification of Trump's own stance toward it; the post gives a safety reason for the closure and expresses no reservation about the position.
United States Representative and Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Virginia's 8th district.
1 case and 1 statement
United States representative for California's 42nd Congressional District and ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.
1 case and 1 statement
Donald Trump is the 45th and 47th president of the United States. Before entering national politics, he worked in real estate development and entertainment.
1 case and 3 statements
Liz Huston is a spokeswoman in the White House Office of the Press Secretary. Her verified X profile lists her as White House Regional Press Secretary.
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Greg Werkheiser is a founding partner of the law firm Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC. He is one of the attorneys representing eight architecture and preservation organizations in a federal lawsuit over changes to the Kennedy Center (No. 1:26-cv-00981).
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United States Senator (Democratic) from Virginia.
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Retiring United States senator from North Carolina.
1 case and 1 statement
John Thune is a U.S. senator from South Dakota and the Senate majority leader.
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United States senator representing New Jersey.
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United States senator from California.
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