A federal judge on Thursday sharply questioned the Kennedy Center’s plans to add President Donald Trump’s name back to its building in coming weeks and expressed frustration that it could happen before he decides whether the move is legal.
During a nearly two hour hearing before Judge Christopher Cooper, who previously concluded that the center’s board broke the law when it voted to rename the historic performing arts venue in honor of Trump, the judge asked pointed questions to a Justice Department attorney defending the board’s decision earlier this month to again add the current president’s name alongside that of the 35th president and on other areas of the site the building sits on.
The hearing came moments after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the center’s demolition will be an “eventuality” if Trump isn’t able to renovate the center — but also dispelled the idea such a move is imminent.
“Bad things happen, but they’re not going to happen on Thursday,” Lutnick told reporters outside the courthouse. “No one’s saying it’s happening on Thursday. It’s just an eventuality, but that’s not going to happen.”
“I mean, this is the board classically capturing the greatest fundraiser and greatest builder ever by putting his name on it and saying, “OK, OK, you wanted your name. Here it is. Now go do it,’” Lutnick said. “And that’s the board’s decision.”
Lutnick’s wife is among the Kennedy Center board members.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
