The Kennedy Center in Washington is on the verge of closure. According to an article from Washington Post published Sunday, September 13, which is based on documents obtained by the American newspaper, the board of directors of this famous institution must vote, Tuesday, on a possible closure of the main building, due to financial difficulties and necessary renovation work.
Those responsible for this center dedicated to the performing arts warn that they “may no longer be able to pay salaries or honor routine maintenance contracts”reports the Washington Post. The board of directors had already voted in March to close for two years for renovation.
Donald Trump, who at the start of his second term placed his close friends at the head of the board of directors of the institution, in December added his name to that of his distant Democratic predecessor to rename it the “Trump Kennedy Center”. But the change was blocked by the courts.
Many artists canceled their concerts in this venue after it was taken over by Donald Trump. According to American media, Kennedy Center ticket sales have fallen to their lowest level since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Support Donald Trump for funding
The board of directors argues in a file consulted by the Washington Post that publicly supporting Mr. Trump within the center could help obtain funding and ensure the sustainability of the establishment. “The administrators will have to choose from ten texts which could be affixed to the facade of the building, under its name”in order to thank the American president for this renovation, reports the newspaper.
According to the Washington Postthe center must collect approximately 124 million dollars (approximately 107 million euros) out of the 220 million revenue planned in its budget, “leaving a deficit of about $23 million, even after significant spending cuts” during the last fiscal year.
The building itself was damaged during a severe storm earlier this month, during which “part of the ceiling plaster (…) broke away »the newspaper reported.
Asked by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the center refused to comment, inviting reference to the statements of spokesperson Roma Daravi on September 4, who had denounced “decades of neglect and postponement of work by the previous management”.
“Adding President Donald Trump’s name to the building attracted new donors”assured the center in a note detailing its financial decisions.
