In a lengthy social media post, President Donald Trump declared he is no longer interested in taking over the Kennedy Center after a federal judge ruled on Friday that he cannot unilaterally rename the performing arts venue.
Judge blocks renaming effort
Judge Christopher Cooper of the Federal District Court in Washington issued the ruling, which prevents the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees—now packed with Trump appointees—from changing the institution's name to The Trump Kennedy Center. The board had voted in December to pursue the renaming.
"Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into 'NEVER NEVER LAND,'" Trump wrote on social media.
He added, "Unfortunately, Judge Cooper and the Radical Left would rather see it DIE than have President Trump transform it into something that everyone could be proud of."
Plans for closure and renovation
In March, Trump announced that the Kennedy Center would shut down for two years starting in July to undergo extensive renovations. Now, his administration is reportedly working with Congress to transfer the institution back to legislative control.
"We are working with Congress to transfer this failing Institution back to them so they can make a determination as to what to do with it," Trump wrote.
The future of the Kennedy Center remains uncertain as the legal and political battles continue.
