According to Consequence.net, Donald Trump’s hand-appointed leaders of the Kennedy Center are warning of “certain fiscal collapse” and an immediate need to close the buildings for repair, arguing that the only thing that could possibly save the cherished institution. The Washington Post obtained 57 page document that described the dire situation and the packet was distributed to the Kennedy Center board of trustees ahead of a special meeting last Tuesday, during which they are to consider a pair of resolutions aimed at solving the financial and physical distress of the center.
On the financial front, Center officials warn that they will be unable to make payroll “within a matter of weeks” and the internal budget documents revealed earlier this year that the Center was running at a roughly $23 million deficit, having lost nearly $100 million in anticipated revenue and enacting steep spending cuts. The drop off in ticket sales and donations, not to mention lawsuits like the $250,000 one the Center tried to levy against Chuck Redd for canceling his Christmas show that all followed Trump’s adding his name to the Kennedy Center building, a move which was overturned by judge ruling only Congress could change the Center’s name.
So of course, officials are now suggesting the only way to save the Center is to add Trump’s name to it. The resolution before the board on Tuesday claims Trump has offered his assistance to “raise the necessary funds to keep the Center from bankruptcy” during renovations, but notes that such involvement is unlikely without “appropriate recognition” of his involvement. To that end, trustees will be presented with 10 options for text that would be added underneath the Kennedy Center name, including, “Renovation Restoration and Endowment overseen by President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Kennedy Center Fund.” Less than a month ago, the board approved a plan to add “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump” to the building before either restoration or renovations had occurred), but US District Judge Christopher Cooper and the same judge who ordered Trump’s name removed from the facade the first time — is already considering a legal challenge.
Photo Credit: Mehreen Rizvi
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