Kennedy Center on brink of bankruptcy, board recommends building closure

The Kennedy Center in Washington is on the brink of bankruptcy, with its board recommending the main building be closed immediately over cost and safety concerns.

• The Kennedy Center board, chaired by Donald Trump, holds a Tuesday meeting to consider closing the main building amid a financial crisis.
• A 57-page report warns the center may not be able to pay salaries or meet maintenance costs within weeks, leaving a roughly $23 million deficit.
• The report says publicly honoring Trump could secure necessary funding, asking trustees to choose among ten texts for the facade under his name.
• Artists have cancelled concerts at the center, and US media reported ticket sales fell to their lowest levels since the COVID pandemic.
• Trump said he would help the center only if his involvement is acknowledged, according to the Washington Post.