A photograph of Donald Trump aboard Air Force One displaying a “Kennedy Center DEMOLITION” poster has been submitted to a federal court amid a dispute over the future of the Washington arts venue. The filing argues that the image and Trump’s warning that the centre could close or be demolished should be considered as Judge Christopher Cooper weighs challenges to its closure and proposed renaming.

Trump said the building was in dangerous condition and would require years of funding beyond the $250 million already approved by Congress, while the centre’s chief executive cited structural deterioration. The Trump-aligned board voted to close the venue after Cooper blocked efforts to name it after Trump; Congresswoman Joyce Beatty also alleged fencing had been installed and access restricted, while opponents warned that demolition would be illegal and irreversible.