Kennedy Center to close as Trump threatens to block repairs over name dispute

President says he will block renovation project unless court decision to bar his name from being added is overturned

• Kennedy Center leaders say Trump's name on building may avoid fiscal collapse'

Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the Kennedy Center would close immediately" and threatened to cancel a planned renovation of the institution if federal courts did not allow his name to be placed on the front of the building.

Trump's ultimatum came shortly after the president's handpicked board voted, again, to close the institution's performing arts building in Washington, citing safety and financial concerns.