Joyce Beatty says Trump ‘went into a tantrum’ following Kennedy Center court loss

The Ohio congresswoman says the president called her “dumb” and “incompetent” during a virtual board meeting after another ruling blocked efforts to put his name on the venue.

Rep. Joyce Beatty says President Donald Trump lashed out at her during a virtual Kennedy Center board meeting after a federal judge again blocked efforts to put Trump’s name on the performing arts center.

In an Instagram clip shared by MS NOW, Beatty said board members were informed at the start of Tuesday’s meeting that she had again prevailed in her lawsuit challenging efforts to add Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center.

Beatty said Trump then “went into a tantrum” and began calling her names, including “dumb” and “incompetent.” She said she responded by telling Trump that she considered him incompetent.

The Ohio Democrat, an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, also said Trump blamed her for opposing plans he argued were necessary to address safety problems at the venue. Beatty said Trump told her he would hold her responsible if part of the building fell and killed someone.

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A post shared by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (@repbeatty)

Her account came after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that the Kennedy Center board could not add Trump’s name to the building or rename the grounds in his honor without congressional approval.

The board later voted to close the Kennedy Center for renovations. Trump has argued that the building requires major work and said the renovation cannot move forward unless the ruling is reversed. The center has cited safety concerns, aging infrastructure, and financial problems in support of the closure.

Beatty and other critics have challenged both the naming effort and the board’s handling of the center. Beatty previously sued after Trump’s name was added to the building, and a federal judge ordered it removed earlier this year.

Trump has defended his handling of the Kennedy Center and maintains that extensive renovation is needed. The Justice Department plans to appeal the latest ruling.