President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington’s Kennedy Center could eventually close or even be demolished if his administration does not receive recognition for its role in efforts to renovate the performing arts venue.

Speaking to reporters in North Carolina, Trump argued that his administration deserves acknowledgment for its involvement with the center and warned about the building’s future if renovation efforts do not proceed.

“I think that the Trump administration should certainly have recognition,” Trump said, adding that without action, the center could ultimately close or be “ripped down.”

Trump also described the Kennedy Center as being in poor financial and physical condition and claimed it had suffered substantial losses before his intervention. The center has faced financial difficulties, while its leadership has argued that the aging building requires extensive repairs.

The president’s remarks came one day after U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper again blocked the Kennedy Center’s board from adding Trump’s name or a tribute honoring him to the building without congressional approval. The court had previously ruled that Trump’s name was unlawfully added to the center and ordered its removal.

Trump has said he would not move forward with the renovation project unless his contribution to the center is formally recognized. Congress approved approximately $257 million for renovations to the landmark performing arts complex.

About an hour after Tuesday’s court ruling, the Kennedy Center board, which is dominated by Trump appointees, voted to immediately close the main building for renovations. Center officials cited safety concerns, including a recent incident in which part of a ceiling fell during heavy rain.

The dispute has intensified uncertainty surrounding the future of one of Washington’s most prominent cultural institutions, with the administration appealing the court ruling and critics challenging the legality of the closure.