Donald Trump has been pictured aboard Air Force One holding what appear to be demolition plans for a major American landmark. Days after the John F Kennedy Memorial Centre announced it would be closing down for good, the President was photographed holding a large cutout of what seems to be demolition plans for the arts venue, which was set for a $257million (£190million) renovation. ### After the image of Mr Trump holding a board reading "Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED" circulated, US District Judge Christopher Cooper issued an order the White House could not demolish the centre without first giving 30 days' notice. Mr Trump added his name to the centre last year - making its full name the Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Centre. ### TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say But any reference to the 47th President was removed in June after Mr Cooper, the Obama-appointed judge, ruled that because Congress dedicated the name of the venue, its name could only be changed again by American lawmakers. On Tuesday, the President shut the centre to prepare to "begin the process of reconstruction", adding the work would not continue unless he could be recognised with an inscription reading "renovated by Donald J Trump" underneath the current sign. Mr Trump said before the court decision: "If the ruling is a negative one, which it should not be, and is not overturned by the US Supreme Court, the reconstruction and the renovation of the Kennedy Center will not take place." Judge Cooper ruled the inscription could not be added, writing: "Simply put, defendants cannot install memorials for President Trump or anyone or anything else at the Kennedy Centre without Congress’s blessing." ### ### ### Then, on Wednesday, the President told reporters the venue - which he previously accused of showing woke programming - was a "mess". "The Kennedy Centre for many years has lost tens of millions of dollars, even hundreds of millions of dollars," he said. "It'll end up being ripped down. It's in very, very bad shape, very dangerous shape. You see steel falling down. You see plaster falling off ceilings. You see a lot of dangers. It's been very badly maintained for 25 years. "I'd like to be able to save it, but it's going to take a lot of subsidy into the future. And for us as an administration to want to do that, I think the Trump administration should be recognised." ### LATEST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: * Britain pleads with Donald Trump's America for help on how to fight 'radical right' * Andy Burnham to face Donald Trump in person for first time amid Falklands and Northern Ireland rows * Donald Trump dealt major blow as Supreme Court blocks mail-in voting crackdown ahead of midterms ### ### Matt Floca, the centre's executive director and chief operating officer, said the closure was needed because of "acute risks to public safety resulting from continued structural deterioration" in a statement submitted to the court. The Edward Stone-designed arts venue, which first opened in 1971, had a chunk of its ceiling collapse after heavy rain in Washington. "Another warning we can't ignore," the Kennedy Centre posted on social media after the incident. It added: "Thankfully no one was hurt. Decades of deferred maintenance made this inevitable. ### ### "Chairman President Trump has been right: America’s cultural center needs to close, renovate, and be restored—now." Mr Trump's comments to reporters and the photograph was submitted by Democratic congresswoman Joyce Beatty as evidence to the court as she fears the closure could become permanent. Mrs Beatty, an ex-officio ex-officio member of the Kennedy Centre board, said in a statement the venue was "a sacred, living memorial to President Kennedy" and would continue to make ensure it was not "shuttered or demolished". Her lawyers, Norm Eisen and Nathaniel Zelinsky, said in a statement: "The board cannot simply ignore Judge Cooper’s rulings whenever it suits them. "In this country, no one - including the President - is above the law." ### **Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**

'I would like to give something back to Britain.' So said the hedge fund billionaire Chris Rokos after donating a cool £190million to Cambridge University in March.

Six months on from the start of the Middle East conflict and analysis suggests it is adding £190million a week in energy costs for households and businesses, and £183million in fuel bill for drivers

Six months on from the start of the Middle East conflict and analysis suggests it is adding £190million a week in energy costs for households and businesses, and £183million in fuel bill for drivers

Six months on from the start of the Middle East conflict and analysis suggests it is adding £190million a week in energy costs for households and businesses, and £183million in fuel bill for drivers

Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos is the fourth richest man in the world with a net worth of over £190million, just behind Google's founders and Elon Musk

The star, whose singles include Number 1 and Never Leave You, has amassed over 190million global streams

Koo Stark and Anthony Forrest suing Lucasfilm for £190 million.

$190million : the amount that MO Republicans underfunded our Public Schools in the 2027 budget. $60million : the amount that MO Republicans are sending to private schools in the 2027 budget.