President Donald Trump was captured on Wednesday evening inspecting a large placard bearing the words “Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED” atop an image of a wrecking ball, following his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The photograph, taken by pool reporter Brendan Smialowski through an Air Force One cabin window, has drawn attention amid an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the iconic performing arts venue.
The full text of the placard was not entirely visible in the released images, with the word “DEMOLISHED” partially cut off to read “DEMOLIS.” ABC News contacted the White House for clarification regarding the sign’s origin and purpose but had not received a response at press time.
The image emerged shortly after Trump told reporters on a North Carolina tarmac on Wednesday that the Kennedy Center could “close” or be “ripped down” if his administration does not receive proper recognition. “I think that the Trump administration should certainly have recognition. Because frankly, if we don’t do that, it’s going to close. It’ll end up being ripped down,” the president said.
Those comments followed a federal court filing on Thursday by Kennedy Center executive director Matt Floca, who stated that the main building’s closure is “temporary” and scheduled to last seven days, with weekly reviews planned. The closure decision was made by the center’s board, which Trump appointed last year, voting on Tuesday to shut the institution immediately rather than waiting for a previously planned two-year renovation.
The conflict centers on a legal battle over the building’s branding. Last December, the Trump-controlled board voted to rename the venue the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” adding his name to the exterior. However, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in May that the rebranding violated federal law and ordered the name removed within two weeks. A D.C. Circuit panel rejected an appeal by Trump and board members in July, upholding the lower court’s decision.
Additionally, on Tuesday, Judge Cooper issued a new order blocking any further attempts to add Trump’s name to the structure, stating that such actions would violate both the prior court order and a congressional statute. “Simply put, Defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Center without Congress’s blessing,” Cooper wrote, noting that the board’s resolution defied federal law.
Congress previously appropriated $257 million for renovations last year. However, Trump stated on social media on Tuesday that those funds will not be utilized for upgrades unless his name is reinstated on the building.
ABC News’ Karen Travers, Michelle Stoddart, Devin Gabbitas, and Steven Portnoy contributed to this report.
Wait, isn’t the Kennedy Center federal property? How exactly does a board vote override a congressional statute on branding?
Did anyone actually explain why that sign was on Air Force One? The ‘DEMOLIS’ cutoff is oddly specific and completely unexplained.
This feels less like a political dispute and more like a personal vendetta played out on the national stage. Completely unhinged.