Kennedy Center Demolition Threat, Trump's Troubles, Poland Warns Of Russian Attacks

Michelle Martin (0:02)

It's ornate doors may be closed, but it's still been an eventful week for the Kennedy Center. President Trump said if he doesn't get his name on the building, it will be ripped down.

A Martinez (0:10)

A federal judge said he can't do that, at least without giving 30 days notice.

Michelle Martin (0:14)

I'm Michelle Martin, that's A Martinez, and this is Up First from NPR News. Trump isn't just facing resistance over the Kennedy Center. The Supreme Court blocked his mail-in voting plan, and the Fed raised interest rates despite his long pressure campaign with the Fed to lower them, are other parts of government setting some limits on his power.

A Martinez (0:33)

Also, Poland is warning that Russia may be prepping drone or missile strikes on countries supporting Ukraine that would be made to look like accidents as Moscow testing NATO's resolve. Stay with us, we've got the news you need to start your day. The flurry of activity over the Kennedy Center continues. A judge told President Trump on Thursday that he cannot tear it down, at least not without 30 days' notice.

Michelle Martin (1:00)

The president's been hinting at tearing it down after he was blocked from putting his name on it. The main building is closed and surrounded by gates. The Center's Trump-aligned board voted to close it, citing safety concerns after heavy rain caused some ceiling plaster to fall.

And all the back and forth has left the Center's future uncertain.

A Martinez (1:18)

We're joined now by NPR culture correspondent, Anastasia Ciuccas. So let's start with where things stand in the court case.

Anastasia Ciuccas (1:25)

There has been so much, A. By my account, there were nine separate court filings and rulings between Wednesday and yesterday afternoon. Many of those included multiple documents. But here's the biggest headline. The federal judge told Trump and the board that they cannot demolish the Kennedy Center or build anything new without providing 30 days notice. And I should note, A. That the judge didn't say anything about needing congressional approval for any of that.

A Martinez (1:51)

Okay. So the judge says can't demolish unless you got 30 days notice. But how worried are people that that might actually still happen?

Anastasia Ciuccas (1:59)

Well, Trump has been threatening to demolish it if his name is not on it. And Wednesday night, a news photographer took a picture of Trump on Air Force One. And in the photo, we see the president looking at a large placard that refers to the center being demolished.

Now, earlier that day, Trump commented about the Kennedy Center. He said it has lost hundreds of millions of dollars, but has provided no evidence of that. And here's Trump talking to reporters on the tarmac.

Donald Trump (2:26)

So for the Trump administration, for me, to get involved and to take that on long term and to carry it or to raise money to carry it, 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.

A Martinez (2:46)

And meanwhile, the center is a main building and theaters are shut down. Now, what are you learning about that?

Anastasia Ciuccas (2:50)

So for a little bit of context A, we're talking about the big white building that sits right on the edge of the Potomac River. It's been a showpiece for Performing Arts in DC since the venue opened in 1971 And it's been a hugely prestigious place for performers visiting from all over the globe and to showcase American talent.

There has been a lot of confusion around the closing itself. On Wednesday, the Center's current Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Matt Floca, said the building's current closure is, quote, temporary. The same day, a staff member at one of the law firms representing Joyce Beatty, the Democratic congressman from Ohio who's suing Trump and the board, submitted a sworn statement to the court. She said she witnessed a forklift ram into the building's pillars several times on Wednesday as construction crews were putting up those barriers. And then yesterday, eight architecture and culture groups who filed a separate lawsuit against the Kennedy Center board last May asked the court to appoint a receiver or independent monitor some neutral other party to protect the building and the institution.

A Martinez (3:58)

Any answer from the court on that?

Anastasia Ciuccas (4:00)

Not yet, A, but I will keep following. And I think there's another point worth making here.

The Kennedy Center really prided itself on making free public programming 365 days a year, which is pretty remarkable for a performing arts venue of that size and scope. So whatever happens, there's the real possibility of a huge change to the landscape in Washington, DC, not just in terms of the architecture, but also in terms of the cultural landscape.