Joyce Beatty Seeks Trump’s Emails and Texts in Kennedy Center Closure Lawsuit

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty is asking a federal judge to compel the Trump administration and other defendants to release emails, text messages, and planning documents that could shed light on President Donald Trump’s role in decisions involving the Kennedy Center’s leadership, planned closure, and proposed renovations.

In a court filing Sunday, Beatty argued that the withheld communications could help determine whether the Kennedy Center board independently decided to close the performing arts institution or approved a plan that had already been developed behind the scenes.

The request is part of Beatty’s lawsuit challenging Kennedy Center board actions, including plans for a temporary closure of the institution’s main building for renovations. The dispute centers on who directed the decisions, what officials discussed, and whether presidential communications privilege can shield records related to the center’s governance.

Kennedy Center lawsuit focuses on withheld communications

According to Beatty’s filing, the defendants submitted a privilege log on the final day of an extended discovery period. The log identifies nine categories of records withheld under presidential communications privilege, including emails, planning documents and text message exchanges dating from April through September.

Among the records are 19 text messages exchanged between Kennedy Center Executive Director and CEO Matt Floca and Natalie Harp, an executive assistant to Trump. Eleven messages were exchanged Sept. 15, the day the center’s board voted for a third time to close the institution.

The privilege log also identifies approximately 180 text messages between Floca and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick concerning Kennedy Center operations, renovation plans and board matters. Beatty’s attorneys describe Lutnick as acting as Trump’s “go-between.”

Beatty argues that the communications could establish who was directing the closure process, whether board members exercised independent judgment and what officials knew about the center’s financial outlook.

Trump administration disputes disclosure request

The Trump administration has argued that requests for communications involving the president and White House staff could interfere with executive branch responsibilities.

Beatty’s attorneys counter that Trump was acting as the Kennedy Center’s board chairman in the matters at issue, rather than solely in his role as president. They argue that presidential communications privilege should not automatically protect records concerning decisions made in that capacity.

The court’s handling of the request could determine whether Beatty gains access to documents she considers important to proving her claims.

Kennedy Center renovation plans draw legal scrutiny

The dispute follows a series of developments involving the Kennedy Center’s future.

Floca ordered a temporary closure of the center’s main building on Sept. 16, one day after the board’s latest vote. On Sept. 17, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the center to provide 30 days’ notice before making major physical changes to the building.

The proposed shutdown is tied to a two-year renovation estimated at $257 million, according to reporting on the litigation. The planned work has become part of the broader legal dispute over the institution’s management and future.

The Kennedy Center also faced a separate legal challenge over its name. In May, Cooper ruled that the board acted unlawfully by adding Trump’s name to the building and ordered the name removed.

Judge’s decision could shape next phase of lawsuit

Beatty is asking Cooper to order the records disclosed promptly so she can review them before the court rules on the defendants’ request to lift a stay in the case.

The requested messages could help establish the sequence of discussions leading to the closure vote and clarify the roles played by Trump, Lutnick, Kennedy Center leadership and other officials. However, the privilege log does not disclose the messages’ contents, and the existence of the communications alone does not prove that the board’s decisions were predetermined.

As of the filing described in the dispute, Cooper had not immediately ruled on Beatty’s request to compel disclosure.

The case could have implications for transparency and accountability at the Kennedy Center, particularly if the court orders the release of communications that illuminate how the closure and renovation decisions were made.