Kennedy Center warns of bankruptcy unless Trump’s name is added to building

The board said Trump is 'unlikely' to financially rescue the center otherwise.

Warning of "certain fiscal collapse within weeks" and possible bankruptcy, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' board of trustees could vote as early as Tuesday on another resolution adding President Donald Trump's name to the building facade, with officials arguing it is necessary to secure his fundraising support, as well as a measure that would immediately close the center's main building.

The resolutions expected to be introduced at the tomorrow's meeting warned that the Center faces a "dire financial position" if Trump's name is not added to the façade, and that the performing arts will not be able to afford payroll and maintenance "within a matter of weeks."

"The Board understands that without such appropriate recognition it is unlikely that President Trump will provide the fundamental oversight of the renovation of the main building and lead the fiscal rescue of the Center," says the resolution, which includes 10 options for the board to consider to place Trump's name on the marble facade under the name of the center.

This follows previous votes of the board to rename the facility after Trump, and then to honor him as the man who "renovated and restored" the center.

Rep. Joyce Beatty -- whose legal fight has for now prevented the renaming of the performing arts center -- is urging a federal judge to step in before the board holds "another vote to shut down the Kennedy Center."

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper had earlier scheduled a conference for 10 a.m. Tuesday and the Kennedy Center's board plans to meet at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The center voted in December to add Trump's name on the outside of the building before a federal judge ordered its removal in May. The Kennedy Center's board voted 23-3 last month on an earlier resolution to close the facility for two years as part of a $285 million renovation plan, according to a court filing. The board, members of which were largely appointed by Trump, also voted to add Trump's name back onto the Kennedy Center building as many as two more times, according to the filing.

While Congress already appropriated $257 million for the project, the board has argued that Trump would raise another $100 million for the center.

Cooper is considering blocking the proposed tribute, which Beatty's lawyers argue violate the court's previous order. The resolutions appear to be part of the board's efforts to convince Judge Cooper that the future of the Kennedy Center depends on Trump's support, which hinges on putting his name on the building.

According to the court filings, Trump's allies on the board plan to propose two draft resolutions during the meeting related to closing the center for a massive renovation project as well as adding Trump's name to the façade.

One of the resolutions seeks to green-light closing the Kennedy Center's main building for two years to carry out major renovations.