Trump Slams Federal Judge as ‘Hater’ After Block on Kennedy Center Renovations

President Donald Trump criticized a federal judge on Saturday, May 30, after the judge blocked his plans for renovations at the Kennedy Center. Trump labeled U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper as “an anti-Trump Hater” and predicted that the iconic performing arts venue would “soon be closed, probably never to open again.”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his frustration over Cooper’s ruling, which not only halted the renovation project but also mandated the removal of Trump’s name from the center. He claimed it was “impossible for me to be treated fairly,” linking this decision to previous legal setbacks, including the Supreme Court’s rejection of his tariffs in February.

Uncertainty Surrounding Renovation Plans

While Trump’s post attempted to advocate for the renovation project, it did not clarify whether he would pursue further legal action. Following Cooper’s decision, Trump indicated he might step back from the renovations and consider transferring control of the center to Congress. This venue, previously known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, had been under Trump’s purview until his second term.

The White House has yet to clarify Trump’s intentions regarding his role as chairman of the center’s board.

Norm Eisen, a former White House ethics lawyer involved in a lawsuit against Trump’s Kennedy Center plans, noted that Trump’s retreat from the project has sparked optimism among artists who felt marginalized by his leadership. Eisen remarked that he had received positive feedback from artists and audience members eager for the center to return to a non-partisan status. He expressed cautious optimism that the center could begin a recovery process once the court’s order is implemented, including the removal of Trump’s name.

Allegations Against the Judge

Trump further alleged, without providing evidence, that Cooper’s wife, attorney Amy Jeffress, influenced the ruling. He pointed out that Jeffress, a partner at the Hecker Fink law firm, previously served as a counselor to Attorney General Eric Holder during the Obama administration. Cooper himself was nominated to the bench by Obama.

Additionally, Trump highlighted that Hecker Fink is representing former President Joe Biden in a lawsuit aimed at blocking the release of audio recordings related to Biden’s handling of classified documents.

Trump described the Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971, as “rusted, rotted, and rat and bug infested,” claiming that the proposed renovations would have transformed it into an “incomparable” facility.

Judge’s Ruling on the Center’s Closure

In his ruling, Cooper criticized the center’s board for its March 16 vote to close the venue, labeling it “ill-informed and seemingly preordained.” He stated that the board had not adequately considered its legal obligations. The administration had announced that renovation work would commence in July and last approximately two years, but Cooper’s ruling has put those plans on hold.

Cooper also determined that the board had overstepped its authority by adding Trump’s name to the center, emphasizing that only Congress has the power to change the center’s name. He ordered that Trump’s name be removed within two weeks.

Trump Defends His Actions

In his post, Trump contended that it was the board, rather than himself, that decided to add his name to the center. He claimed that the board believed it would benefit the institution, which he described as “dying.”

After resuming office in January 2025, Trump replaced the center’s previous leadership with a handpicked board of trustees, appointing himself as chairman.

Cooper held hearings in late April regarding two lawsuits challenging the renovation project. One lawsuit was filed by cultural and historic preservation organizations, while the other was brought by Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio, who serves as an ex officio member of the board. Cooper ruled in favor of Beatty’s request while rejecting the other challenge.

In his post, Trump also mentioned that Jeffress’s firm represented E. Jean Carroll, who won a $5 million award in 2023 for sexual abuse and defamation after a jury found that Trump had sexually abused her in a New York department store in 1996. A subsequent jury awarded Carroll an additional $83 million for defamation in 2024. Both awards are currently under appeal.

Jeffress did not respond to a request for comment.

As reported by www.billboard.com.

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Published on 2026-05-31 01:39:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk