Trump slams ‘highly conflicted’ judge over Kennedy Center dispute, calls venue ‘old and decrepit’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Sunday, August 30, renewed his criticism of the federal judge overseeing the legal fight over his plans for the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, calling the judge “highly conflicted” and describing the venue as “old and decrepit.”

The president’s criticism came just days after an emergency court hearing was held on Thursday, August 27, over his proposed renovation and efforts to keep his name associated with the building.

The dispute centers on both the future of the Kennedy Center and Trump’s earlier decision to add his name to the federally designated arts institution.

Trump attacks judge over Kennedy Center

Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that the Kennedy Center needed extensive construction and changes to its public image, while arguing that the venue had suffered financially in recent years.

“Kennedy Center is an old and decrepit building that is badly in need of a major construction and public relations fix before it can attain greatness and prestige, perhaps far greater than ever before,” Trump said.

“It has been losing a fortune for many years, and will continue to do so if the highly conflicted judge on the case doesn’t allow us to do what has to be done!” he added.

Trump has pushed for a major renovation of the Kennedy Center during his second term.

Justice Department lawyers argued in filings ahead of the latest emergency hearing that blocking the administration’s proposed $250 million renovation could leave the building in such poor condition that it might ultimately have to be demolished.

The administration has also sought to retain Trump’s name on the building despite a federal court ruling that only Congress has the authority to rename the institution.

Trump’s name was added to the building after he took control of the Kennedy Center’s board last year.

In February 2025, Trump replaced several trustees, appointed himself to the board and was subsequently elected chairman. Later that year, the administration announced the addition of his name to the institution.

However, a federal judge in June ordered Trump’s name to be removed from the center after finding that its addition violated federal law.

Joyce Beatty challenges Trump’s Kennedy Center plans

Rep Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio, has continued to challenge the administration’s changes to the Kennedy Center. Beatty criticized Trump’s approach to the matter, stating that his response to the legal fight was inappropriate after the emergency hearing on Thursday.

“I mean, come on, this is the President of the United States saying, if I don't get my way doing something unlawful, then I'm just going to come in and tear it down and make it some arena venue,” Beatty said.

“We've seen what he's done in the most embarrassing ways to the White House. So that's another reason that we will continue to fight, because the American people are on our side. They're asking us to stand up and to fight for justice,” she added.

Beatty also said the dispute affects Kennedy Center employees, performers and visitors, and that the Kennedy family has supported her efforts.