Kennedy Center must explain tarp covering entrance, judge rules
Fernando Cervantes Jr.A federal judge on Wednesday, June 24, ordered the Kennedy Center to explain a tarp and scaffolding covering its front entrance.
U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper also ordered the center to detail its operations, programming and public access in the weeks ahead, escalating a legal fight over renovations and control of the institution.
The order follows a request from Kennedy Center President and CEO Matt Floca to extend a June 17 directive that gave the center three days to detail any immediate plans related to construction and other long-term initiatives.
According to court records, Cooper said the center must file a status report within seven days of its July board meeting or by July 31, whichever comes first.
Cooper also ordered the center to “indicate the purpose for and status of the tarp and scaffolding,” which was placed over front signage that previously displayed both President Donald Trump and former President John F. Kennedy’s names.
The ruling comes days after Cooper ordered the center to remain open beyond its scheduled July 5 closure for major renovations previously announced by Trump.
A center shrouded in drama
The dispute stems from Congress’ approval of $258 million to renovate the Kennedy Center. The center’s board later added Trump’s name to the facade and its website as he made the project a priority.
That move prompted a lawsuit from Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, a board member who argued the center’s name is fixed in the 1964 statute that created it.
Cooper ordered Trump’s name removed from the building and all digital materials by June 12. The signage was taken down early June 13, after the court-imposed deadline.
Government lawyers argued the change could jeopardize fundraising, saying corporate contributions “will not only come to a halt, but any and all monies raised or committed would be obligated to be returned, refunded, or terminated.”
USA TODAY’s Bart Jansen contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.