The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., a prominent cultural venue, is facing a potential crisis, with its leaders warning that the institution could go bankrupt and might have to shut down its main building as early as Tuesday. According to documents shared with the Washington Post, the Kennedy Center’s board of directors is set to vote on Tuesday about whether to close the main building due to financial struggles and the need for major renovations. Officials have expressed concerns about their ability to continue paying salaries or meeting existing maintenance obligations, the newspaper reported. Earlier this year, the board had already decided to close the building for a two-year renovation period, but the current situation suggests the financial challenges are more severe than anticipated. The center has also been involved in a naming dispute. Donald Trump, who placed his allies on the board during his second presidential term, had proposed renaming the center the "Trump Kennedy Center" in December, combining his name with that of his Democratic predecessor, John F. Kennedy. However, this change was blocked by the courts. In a document obtained by the Washington Post, the board argued that publicly aligning with Trump could help secure funding and ensure the center’s survival. The board reportedly has ten possible phrases to place on the building’s exterior to acknowledge Trump’s support for the renovations, according to the newspaper. Since Trump’s influence grew within the center, many artists have canceled planned performances, and ticket sales have dropped to their lowest levels since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Washington Post reported that the center is expected to generate only about $124 million in revenue this year, far below the $220 million budget, resulting in a deficit of approximately $23 million even after cutting other expenses. The building also suffered damage earlier this month when a severe storm caused part of the ceiling plaster to fall. When contacted by AFP, the Kennedy Center declined to comment further, referring to statements made by its spokesperson, Roma Daravi, in September. Daravi had criticized the previous management for years of neglect and delayed repairs. The center explained in a statement that associating the name of former President Donald Trump with the building helped attract new donors, according to its financial rationale.