
September 17th, 2026
A federal judge ordered the Kennedy Center on Thursday to give 30 days’ notice before any major physical changes to the building.
The order includes any demolition, which President Donald Trump has threatened.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said the ruling would avoid confusion.
The building had suddenly closed to the public on Wednesday.
Matt Floca is the center’s executive director and chief operating officer.
He said he closed it temporarily because of “acute risks to public safety” from structural deterioration.
The building will stay closed for at least seven days.
This will allow officials to assess safety risks in areas with severe damage.
Floca said the closure followed an inspection of the roof terrace canopy.
It also followed a partial ceiling collapse earlier this month.
It is separate from a Tuesday board vote to close the center indefinitely for repairs.
Trump was named the center’s chairman last year by board loyalists.
On Wednesday, he said his restoration efforts deserve recognition.
He said that without them the building would close and “end up being ripped down.”
The closure came after Rep. Joyce Beatty filed a case.
She is an Ohio Democrat and a board member.
She sought an emergency hearing to stop what she called an “unlawful closing.”
Cooper denied Beatty’s request for a hearing on the board’s intent.
But he agreed to make clear that demolition requires 30 days’ notice.
The Trump-aligned board voted to close the center.
This happened after Cooper blocked it from returning Trump’s name to the building.
Congress allocated $257 million for repairs.
But Trump said they would happen only if the board could add his name.
Barbra Streisand, a 2008 honoree, called the controversy “galling and painful to witness.”
September 17th, 2026

Jon Stewart on Why He Keeps Supporting First Responders
Jon Stewart on Why He Keeps Supporting First Responders

Duncan Sheik, Grammy-winning 'Spring Awakening' composer and pop star, dies at 56
Duncan Sheik, Grammy-winning 'Spring Awakening' composer and pop star, dies at 56

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, praised in Los Angeles, now takes on New York
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, praised in Los Angeles, now takes on New York

‘The Pitt’ aims to win again and ‘Widow’s Bay’ could make a big splash as Emmy Awards arrive
‘The Pitt’ aims to win again and ‘Widow’s Bay’ could make a big splash as Emmy Awards arrive

Bob Mackie, designer for Cher and Marilyn, who shaped ‘70s glamour, dies at 87
Bob Mackie, designer for Cher and Marilyn, who shaped ‘70s glamour, dies at 87

Movie Review: ‘Practical Magic 2' should have used the original spell book
Movie Review: ‘Practical Magic 2' should have used the original spell book

Thieves steal 4 Renoirs from a French museum. 2 of the paintings are still missing
Thieves steal 4 Renoirs from a French museum. 2 of the paintings are still missing

An Elon Musk documentary and a Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem thriller premiere at Venice
An Elon Musk documentary and a Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem thriller premiere at Venice

Jury convicts man of first-degree murder in 1996 killing of rap star Tupac Shakur
Jury convicts man of first-degree murder in 1996 killing of rap star Tupac Shakur