Barbra Streisand, a 2008 Kennedy Center honoree, has publicly criticized Donald Trump over recent actions involving the Kennedy Center. She expressed her dismay at how the institution is being used as a political pawn in a battle over one man’s name and ego. Streisand recalled her own honor in the Kennedy Center Honorees class of 2008 and said that for many artists, it represented more than just a career recognition.
She emphasized the importance of art in democracy and how the current situation is painful to witness, according to Playbill. Streisand made the comments after a week that included another court ruling over efforts to place Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center and a board vote to close the building for renovations. Playbill reported on Streisand’s criticism on September 17.
Trump and the Kennedy Center board have repeatedly sought to place his name on the building. A federal judge ruled that the Kennedy Center could not be renamed without an act of Congress. Judge Christopher Cooper previously ordered Trump’s name removed from the façade after it had been added to the building.
After his name was removed from the façade, the Trump administration placed a large tarp over part of the building. Cooper later ordered the administration to explain the purpose and status of the tarp and scaffolding. The board then tried again to add his name, but another court ruling stopped them.
The Kennedy Center board has now voted to close much of the venue for renovations. The vote came after another court decision blocked a renewed attempt to place Trump’s name on the building. The board approved a plan for a closure that could last up to two years as part of a $257 million renovation project.
A separate court order issued on September 17 requires at least 30 days’ notice before major physical changes are made to the building. The order specifically addressed concerns about demolition and other major alterations. The Kennedy Center had already temporarily closed under an emergency order before Cooper issued the new notice requirement.
Trump had earlier suggested that the Kennedy Center could be torn down if his administration did not receive recognition for supporting the renovations. He also described the center as being in poor condition and “very dangerous shape,” according to CNN. AP reported that Trump had said the building could “end up being ripped down” if he did not provide his support.
The Kennedy Center board, which Trump chairs and whose membership includes many of his appointees, voted to close the venue after a previous court decision blocked adding Trump’s name. The board claimed that the center was facing financial collapse just before the vote. Reuters reported that documents presented to trustees warned that the center could soon be unable to meet payroll and maintenance costs.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat and congressionally designated Kennedy Center trustee, asked a court to stop the closure. She argued that a temporary closure could become a permanent shutdown. Her lawyers cited Trump’s comments about possible demolition as they asked the court to intervene.
Congress has approved $257 million for renovations, which Trump said depends on his name being on the building. The Justice Department has also argued in court that visible recognition of Trump could be necessary to attract donations needed for renovations. Opponents of the naming effort dispute that argument.
Streisand also urged citizens to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. The Kennedy Center was originally established as the National Cultural Center in 1958 and was designated a living memorial to President Kennedy in 1964 after his assassination. Construction began in 1966 and the building opened to the public in 1971.
The institution has hosted many of the world’s top performers since its founding. She said that President Kennedy believed art was essential to a free society and that it should be protected from political interference. Streisand criticized the way Trump has treated the center as a tool for personal gain rather than a cultural treasure. Those statements reflect Streisand’s criticism of the administration and are not findings made by the court.
She also questioned what Kennedy himself would have wanted for the center if he were alive today. The situation has drawn attention from across the country as people debate how public institutions should be managed. Trump’s push to rename the building began when he replaced much of the board and took control himself.
In December, the board voted to officially change the name to the Trump-Kennedy Center, but a federal judge blocked that move. Streisand’s statement was made public during a time when the Kennedy Center is under intense scrutiny and legal pressure. She called the current situation a betrayal of the values that the Kennedy Center stands for. A bill introduced in Congress also states that Congress retains the authority to rename the Kennedy Center through legislation.
The judge’s order makes it clear that any major changes to the building must be disclosed in advance. This ruling is meant to prevent confusion and ensure transparency during a turbulent period for the venue. Cooper said the notice requirement was intended to avoid confusion following recent statements about the building’s future.
IMAGE: Photo taken at Governor’s Ball after the 47th Emmy Awards 9/10/95 – Note also Jon Voight in photo – Permission granted to copy, publish or post but please credit “photo by Alan Light” if you can. Photo: Alan Light / Wikimedia, taken 1995-09-01, CC BY 2.0