Kennedy Center Suggests Name Change Could Fend Off Bankruptcy

The Kennedy Center's leaders are warning that both its finances and its building are in such bad shape the main facility may need to shut down as soon as Tuesday—and they're tying its rescue to putting President Trump's name on the facade, the Washington Post reports.

In a packet to trustees obtained by the Post, officials say the arts center is weeks from missing payroll and routine bills and argue that publicly crediting Trump is key to securing his promised fundraising. A second resolution urges immediate closure of the main building, citing ceiling plaster that recently crashed 60 feet to the floor and severe corrosion in exterior panels. A federal judge has previously ruled only Congress can rename the center and ordered Trump's name removed; he is now weighing a legal challenge to a new inscription proposal. Government lawyers are now claiming Trump's name would be added to recognize his role in funding the renovations, rather than actually renaming the center, USA Today reports.

The New York Times notes the center's event calendar "has been largely bare for weeks" and its staff brought down to a fraction of its original size as the closure looms.