Jun 04 Trump's name must be removed from Kennedy Center by June 12, memo to staff says By Liz Landers President Donald Trump’s name must come off the Kennedy Center by June 12, according to a memo issued to the national arts center staff Thursday following a court ruling that found the rebrand was illegal. Continue reading
May 29 Judge says Kennedy Center board violated law putting Trump's name on building, blocks closure By Michael Kunzelman, Steven Sloan, Associated Press A federal judge ruled Friday that President Donald Trump's name was illegally added to the Kennedy Center and blocked the administration from closing the cultural and arts venue for major renovations. Continue reading
Apr 17 Watch 8:17 Ex-Kennedy Center staffer alleges chaos and cronyism under Trump leadership By Geoff Bennett, Azhar Merchant Unless courts intervene, the Kennedy Center will shut down this July for two years, as part of a roughly $250 million renovation. In the lead-up, there’s been a wave of layoffs and a controversial rebranding by President Trump’s allies. Josef… Continue watching
Apr 14 New head of the Kennedy Center tries to show that the building really needs a renovation By Steven Sloan, Associated Press Trump's move to shutter the building for two years starting in July, which was approved by the board last month, has spurred lawsuits and an outcry that the closure is merely a response to plunging sales as artists canceled Kennedy… Continue reading
Mar 31 Watch 7:42 Washington National Opera finds new stage after split with Kennedy Center By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport Earlier this month, the Kennedy Center board approved the president’s plan to close the center for two years. The Washington National Opera had already announced it was leaving, one of the most consequential developments in a year of turmoil. Jeffrey… Continue watching
Mar 26 Democratic lawmaker asks judge to remove Trump's name from Kennedy Center By Steven Sloan, Darlene Superville, Associated Press In a motion filed Wednesday, Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio argues that Congress was clear in its intent that the Kennedy Center is named for the late President John F. Kennedy — and no one else. Continue reading
Mar 23 Historic preservation groups sue Trump to block Kennedy Center changes By Steven Sloan, Associated Press A coalition of preservation groups is suing to stop major physical changes at the Kennedy Center under President Donald Trump’s renovation plans. Continue reading
Mar 16 Kennedy Center votes to shut down operations for 2 years and names a new president By Steven Sloan, Hillel Italie, Associated Press The widely expected decision comes in the wake of numerous resignations and cancellations during President Donald Trump's second term, although Trump himself has cited the need for repairs as a reason for the closure. Continue reading
Mar 16 WATCH: Trump 'strongly' encourages other countries to help U.S. protect Strait of Hormuz By Associated Press The president said at an event at the White House on Monday that “numerous countries” have told him “they’re on the way” to help police the strait but he complained about their reluctance. Continue reading
Mar 13 Trump announces Ric Grenell is stepping down as Kennedy Center's president By Steven Sloan, Associated Press Richard Grenell, an ally of President Donald Trump who oversaw far reaching changes at the Kennedy Center that prompted many artists to abandon the iconic performing arts venue, will step down as the institution's president. Continue reading