President Donald Trump posted on X on September 15 that the Kennedy Center is "in a virtual state of collapse," warning that a large piece of concrete and steel fell from the ceiling of a heavily trafficked main hallway. He claimed that if the building were open, "innocent people would have been killed."
Trump wrote that a security guard had passed the area just one minute before the collapse, saying the guard was "60 seconds away from certain death." He criticized a "very hostile and conflicted Judge" for keeping the building open despite no performances taking place and no one having "the Courage to even go in." The Board of the Kennedy Center, he said, has "strongly voted to save it," and he is the only one who can do so due to his ability to raise money and construct, as well as the "strength and power of the Presidency."
Trump also noted that the Kennedy Center was "losing Hundreds of Millions of Dollars" before his involvement and was "failing badly." He stated that he is only there to help and reveal the facts, especially regarding building safety. He warned that the building is "destined to doom" if the judge prevents his efforts, adding that they have wasted more than 6 months in court. "Time is our Enemy!" he said. The Board is meeting again today, and Trump expressed interest in seeing what happens.
