A portion of the ceiling in the Kennedy Center’s Grand Foyer collapsed on Friday evening due to heavy rain in the Washington, D.C. area. The incident led to the temporary closure of the main building, though no injuries were reported. Photos released by the Kennedy Center showed sections of the ceiling and dust scattered across the red carpet in the foyer, which serves as a central space connecting the Opera House, Concert Hall, and Eisenhower Theater. The area will remain closed to visitors and nonessential personnel through the week, with the rest of the building expected to reopen on Saturday. Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi attributed the ceiling collapse to years of neglect and deferred maintenance under previous leadership. The incident has added urgency to the center’s ongoing legal and administrative challenges. The Trump-appointed board overseeing the Kennedy Center has approved a two-year closure for a $250 million renovation. However, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex-officio board member, has opposed the closure in federal court, arguing it is unnecessary and unconstitutional. The dispute also involves efforts to add a tribute to President Donald Trump on the building's facade, a move Beatty has also challenged in court. The Trump-aligned board is currently fighting in court to add Trump’s name to the building’s exterior and to proceed with the two-year closure for renovations. Daravi stated the ceiling collapse was further proof of the need for immediate action, saying, “This structural failure stems from decades of neglect and deferred maintenance by the previous leadership.” The Kennedy Center, originally established to honor President John F. Kennedy after his assassination, has become a focal point of Trump’s broader agenda to reshape Washington. This includes plans to demolish parts of the White House and construct new monuments and facilities in the area. In May, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that adding Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center was illegal and ordered it removed. He also blocked the administration from closing the venue for renovations. The board is now preparing to vote in August to re-add Trump’s name to the building’s facade. Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center recently removed a large sculpture called Blue from its grounds, though no reason was given for its removal. Community groups like Keep the KC, which oppose the closure, suspect the board may use the ceiling incident to justify a full shutdown, even though the damage appears limited. Founder Grace Terpstra warned that the board may exaggerate the extent of the damage to push for a broader closure.