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Trump says Kennedy Center could be 'ripped down' if he doesn't get 'recognition'

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the Kennedy Center could close or be ripped down if his administration doesn't receive recognition on the performing artscenter as tensions over his name being removed mount. I think that the Trump administration should certainly have recognition. Because frankly, if we don't do that, it's going to close. It'll end up being ripped down, the president told reporters on the tarmac in North Carolina. Trump claimed that the Kennedy Center was a mess without his intervention and has lost 10s of millions of dollars, even hundreds of millions of dollars, comparing it to New York's Carnegie Hall. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images - PHOTO: President Trump Travels To North Carolina Kennedy niece says Trump holding Kennedy Center 'hostage' amid battle over name The president's comments come after a federal judge on Tuesday blocked the performing arts center's board from adding a tribute to Trump on the building or site. He responded by saying he wouldn't spend congressionally approved funding for the center's renovation unless the building also bears his name. Congress last year appropriated $257 million for the renovation. About an hour after the judge's ruling Tuesday, the board, which is controlled by Trump appointees, voted to close the center immediately for renovations, citing safety concerns after a piece of plaster from the ceiling of the grand foyer fell during a heavy rainstorm earlier this month. Alex Brandon/AP Photo - PHOTO: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is seen from the air, Aug. 30, 2026, in Washington. 'Linguistic gymnastics': Judge blocks adding Trump tribute to Kennedy Center in scathing ruling On Tuesday, Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, said Trump threw a tantrum because he lost in court when discussing the Kennedy Center meeting. He wasn't pleased with it. He was very explicit with his words, and I responded equally as explicit. He is in contempt of court for what he's doing now in trying to just simply go over and close the Kennedy Center and to have people leave the center, Beatty told reporters on the House steps Tuesday night. Beatty said there was a heated debate during the meeting. On Wednesday, fencing was seen being installed around the main building's entrance. This article originally appeared on ABC News at https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-kennedy-center-ripped-recognition/story?id=136513298