Trump reviews Kennedy Center demolition plan aboard Air Force One
World · 17 September 2026
Written by AI from multiple news reports
Photos taken Wednesday night show President Trump on Air Force One holding a large printout. The text appeared to read "Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED." Hours later, his administration filed court papers to close the building for seven days. Officials said the Kennedy Center has serious structural problems and is unsafe. Trump had already said the building was in very bad condition and could be torn down. However, a court order currently requires the Kennedy Center to stay open. A lawsuit brought by Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty is still going through the courts. The administration's decision to close the building breaks that court order. The closure is supposed to last one week, according to the court documents filed Thursday morning.