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[BUSINESS] · United States · 11 sources

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Kennedy Center faces bankruptcy and potential closure

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is facing an imminent financial crisis, with leaders warning of a “certain fiscal collapse” that could leave the institution unable to meet payroll or maintenance costs within weeks. The board of trustees is scheduled to meet this Tuesday to discuss emergency measures, including the potential immediate closure of the main Washington, D.C. building due to structural safety concerns following a ceiling collapse during a recent storm.

To address a reported $23 million deficit, the Trump-led board is considering proposals to add President Donald Trump’s name to the facility's exterior. Trustees suggest that formal recognition of his role in the center's restoration and endowment could secure the necessary fundraising support to prevent bankruptcy. This move is currently the subject of legal challenges led by Representative Joyce Beatty, who has sued to block the addition of the president's name to the building.

The institution has experienced significant instability since President Trump assumed the role of board chairman, including leadership changes, legal disputes over building signage, and declining ticket sales and fundraising revenue.

Entities

Donald Trump · John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts · Joyce Beatty · Kennedy Center · The Washington Post · Washington, D.C.

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