A federal judge has ordered the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to provide 30 days’ notice before making any significant physical changes to the building – including a potential demolition threatened by Donald Trump.

Christopher Cooper, a US district judge, said on Thursday his ruling would “avoid any confusion on that score given more recent events”.

Trump, who seized control of the Kennedy Center in Washington last year, hinted on Wednesday that the building could be torn down.

Speaking to reporters in Charlotte, North Carolina, the president said: “The Trump administration should certainly have recognition because, frankly, if we don’t do that, it’s going to close. It’ll end up being ripped down.”

He added: “It’s in very, very bad shape, very dangerous shape. You see steel falling down. You see plaster falling off ceilings. You see a lot of dangers. It’s been very badly maintained for 25 years.”

Later on Thursday, a photo from Agence France-Presse captured Trump through the windows of Air Force One holding a placard with text in red declaring: “Kennedy Center DEMOLIS ... ”