Kennedy Center leaders say Trump’s name on facade may avoid ‘fiscal collapse’

Leaders of the John F Kennedy Center for ⁠the Performing Arts say it is on the brink of bankruptcy and could ⁠close as early ⁠as ​Tuesday, the Washington Post reported on Sunday.

The center’s Donald Trump-installed leaders argued that putting the president’s name on its facade may be the only way ⁠to avoid imminent and “certain fiscal collapse”, according to the newspaper, ​citing documents it ‌obtained.

The paper said ‌a report, prepared by the Washington DC institution’s trustees, claimed that ‌within a few weeks the institution won’t be able to pay employees or meet maintenance costs. The report was prepared in advance of a meeting that is scheduled for Tuesday.

The Post also said Trump will help the Kennedy Center if his involvement is acknowledged. The trustees’ report represents “a ​remarkable new phase in Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, which has been engulfed by financial turmoil, leadership upheaval and litigation since he installed himself as chairman” in February 2025, the paper said.

The Post also noted ​that Trump’s ​involvement with the Kennedy Center, ​which included the addition of his ​name to ‌the building, impaired fundraising ​work ​and ticket sales.

A judge in May ruled that the addition of Trump’s name to the center’s facade was illegal – and therefore it needed to be removed. Trump’s name was then removed in June after a judge rejected an emergency appeal blocking the removal.

The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment.