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President Trump announced plans Sunday to close the Kennedy Center for two years starting July 4th for construction, the latest controversial move affecting the iconic Washington performing arts venue since his return to the White House.
The announcement comes amid a wave of high-profile cancellations by artists and performers following Trump’s decision to replace the center’s leadership and add his name to the building. The president made no reference to these cancellations in his social media statement.
“This important decision, based on input from many Highly Respected Experts, will take a tired, broken, and dilapidated Center, one that has been in bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years, and turn it into a World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment,” Trump wrote.
However, neither Trump nor Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, a Trump appointee, have provided evidence supporting claims about the building’s disrepair. Just last October, Trump had promised the center would remain open during any renovations.
Grenell defended the closure decision, describing it as “brief” and necessary. “It desperately needs this renovation and temporarily closing the Center just makes sense – it will enable us to better invest our resources, think bigger and make the historic renovations more comprehensive. It also means we will be finished faster.”
The Kennedy Center holds significant cultural and historical importance in the nation’s capital. Originally established as a national cultural center, Congress renamed it in 1964 as a “living memorial” to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination. Since opening in 1971, it has served as a year-round public showcase for the arts, including housing the National Symphony Orchestra.
The decision represents one of several Washington landmarks Trump has targeted for overhaul during his second term. He has already demolished the White House East Wing for a $400 million ballroom project, is pursuing construction of a triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial, and has plans for Dulles International Airport.
The arts community has responded with significant pushback. Renowned composer Philip Glass recently withdrew his Symphony No. 15 “Lincoln” from performance at the center, stating that the venue’s current values are in “direct conflict” with the piece’s message. Last month, the Washington National Opera announced it would move performances away from the Kennedy Center, and the head of artistic programming abruptly departed less than two weeks after being appointed.
Trump’s earlier announcement to rename the building by placing his name before Kennedy’s sparked intense opposition from Congress members and Kennedy family members. Kerry Kennedy, a niece of John F. Kennedy, vowed on social media to remove Trump’s name with a pickax when his term ends.
Maria Shriver, another Kennedy family member, had previously described the renaming attempt as “beyond comprehension” and “not acceptable.” Following Sunday’s closure announcement, Shriver posted a sarcastic comment mimicking Trump’s style, suggesting the closure was meant to deflect from the wave of cancellations by performers unwilling to appear at the venue.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat and ex-officio trustee of the center’s board, who sued in December arguing that “only Congress has the authority to rename the Kennedy Center,” criticized Trump’s latest move. “Once again, Trump has acted with total disregard for Congress,” which allocates funds to the center.
Beatty questioned the future for artists and the building itself, adding: “Let’s be clear: remodeling the premises will not restore the Kennedy Center to what it was. A return to artistic independence will. America’s artists are rejecting this attempted takeover, and the administration knows it.”
The Kennedy Center’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the closure plans. The decision will require approval by the center’s board of trustees, which Trump himself chairs and has populated with allies.
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10 Comments
Interesting decision by Trump to close the Kennedy Center for renovations. I wonder if the timing has anything to do with the recent backlash from performers over his leadership changes there. Curious to see how this plays out.
I agree, the timing does seem a bit suspect. It will be important to ensure the renovations are truly needed and not just a political maneuver.
The Kennedy Center is an iconic cultural institution, so any major renovations will be closely watched. I hope the closure is brief and the end result is a true ‘world class’ performing arts venue as promised.
Agreed, maintaining the Kennedy Center’s stature as a premier arts destination should be the top priority, not political posturing.
Renovations can be disruptive, but if the Kennedy Center truly needs structural and financial repairs, then this may be a necessary step. Curious to see the details and timeline for the project.
Good point. Transparency around the scope and cost of the renovations will be key to assuring the public this is not just a political move.
I’m skeptical of the claims about the Kennedy Center’s condition being ‘tired, broken, and dilapidated.’ Seems like political rhetoric rather than an objective assessment. We’ll have to wait and see if the renovations are truly warranted.
Agreed, the language used sounds more like political spin than a sober evaluation. I hope the justification for this closure is thoroughly scrutinized.
The Kennedy Center is an important cultural institution, so keeping it in top shape is important. But the timing of this closure, right after leadership changes, raises some questions. Hopefully the renovations are done transparently and efficiently.
Well said. Transparency and efficient execution will be key to ensuring this is truly about improving the center, not political maneuvering.