Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump sharply criticized a federal judge Friday after a court blocked efforts to add his name to the Kennedy Center and temporarily halted plans to close the performing arts complex for a major renovation project.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper of ignoring serious safety concerns at the Washington landmark. The president claimed experts had warned about deteriorating infrastructure, including rotting beams, potential structural failures, and other safety hazards.
“Judge Cooper should be ashamed of himself,” Trump wrote, arguing that keeping the facility open could put the public at risk.
The dispute stems from a ruling issued Friday in which Cooper found that federal law requires the institution to remain named after President John F. Kennedy unless Congress authorizes a change. The judge also temporarily blocked a planned two-year closure that had been scheduled to begin on July 5.
The lawsuit was brought by Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, who challenged both the renaming effort and the decision to shut down the facility for renovations.
Trump said he has directed the Commerce Department to explore transferring greater responsibility for the center’s upkeep to Congress. The Kennedy Center project is part of the administration’s broader effort to renovate and modernize federal landmarks ahead of future national celebrations.
The ruling is expected to be appealed.
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