Barbra Streisand has launched a blistering attack on Donald Trump over the escalating Kennedy Centre row, accusing the United States president of allowing his “unchecked ego” to engulf the celebrated Washington arts institution.
The legendary singer and actress, who received a Kennedy Centre Honour in 2008, said she was “indignant” at seeing the venue become embroiled in what she described as a “bitter struggle over one man’s name”.
Her intervention comes as the battle over the landmark dramatically escalated this week, with Mr Trump warning on Wednesday the Kennedy Center could ultimately be “ripped down”.
A federal judge has since ordered that the centre must provide at least 30 days’ notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including any potential demolition.
Barbra Streisand has launched a blistering attack on Donald Trump over the Kennedy Center row
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Ms Streisand, 84, shared a photograph of herself with John F. Kennedy as she reflected on the history of the institution, which was designated as a living memorial to the assassinated president following his death.
“In 2008, I was deeply honoured to be included in the 31st annual class of Kennedy Centre Honorees,” she wrote.
“For me, and for so many artists, that honour represented something larger than a career recognition.
“It represented a belief in the importance of art to the life of a democracy.”
Donald Trump warned the Kennedy Center could be ‘ripped down’ amid the escalating dispute
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POOLShe continued: “That is why what is happening to the Kennedy Centre is so galling and painful to witness.”
Ms Streisand then turned her attention directly to Mr Trump and the long-running dispute over efforts to display his name at the venue.
“You can easily imagine my indignation at seeing this revered institution become the subject of such a bitter struggle over one man’s name and unchecked ego,” she wrote.
The Oscar-winning performer also claimed Mr Trump had been left “humiliated” after his name was removed from the building’s facade and described him as “thoroughly defeated” following the latest court ruling blocking another attempt to display his name at the site.
The bitter saga has unfolded over several months and centres on attempts to recognise Mr Trump at the Kennedy Center, which his administration took control of early in his second term.
A federal judge previously ruled the centre’s name could not be changed without an act of Congress, leading to Mr Trump’s name being removed from the facade.
The Kennedy Centre board later pursued a separate proposal to install an inscription recognising Trump for his role in restoring the building and to name the surrounding grounds after him.
However, US District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked effort on Tuesday, ruling memorials could not be installed at the Kennedy Centre without congressional approval.
Mr Trump subsequently said planned reconstruction and renovation work would not proceed if the ruling remained in place, as he argued his administration should receive recognition for its involvement.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the president warned without his administration’s involvement, the venue could eventually close and be “ripped down”.
The remarks prompted fresh concerns over the building’s future, with Mr Cooper ordering on Thursday the Kennedy Center provide at least 30 days’ notice before any significant physical changes, including demolition.
Congress has allocated $257million (£191million) for repairs to the ageing building, while Mr Trump has argued substantial work is required to address its condition.
Maria Shriver, a niece of President Kennedy, has also weighed into the row, describing the dispute as a “sad state of affairs”.
She accused Trump of being “small-minded” and “narcissistic” over his stance on the renovations, adding “great men, devoted to public service and the public good do not act like this”.
The Kennedy Centre was established as a living memorial to JFK and has become one of America’s most prominent performing arts venues.
Ms Streisand said it was difficult not to consider what Kennedy himself would have wanted for the centre, describing his vision as one in which artists could “challenge, inspire, provoke, and bring Americans together” through the arts.