Trump will play a starring role heading into a big weekend at the Kennedy Center

From Sports Draw to Arts Gala: Kennedy Center Takes Center Stage in Trump’s Washington

The Kennedy Center, Washington’s premier venue for theater, opera, and ballet, finds itself at an unusual crossroads this weekend. On Friday afternoon, the cultural institution will transform into the epicenter of the global sports landscape as it hosts the World Cup 2026 draw. By Sunday, it will pivot back to its traditional role for the annual Kennedy Center Honors, celebrating distinguished American artists.

The common denominator in this cultural whiplash? President Donald Trump.

Trump played a decisive role in relocating the World Cup draw from its expected Las Vegas setting to the Kennedy Center, working directly with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Their collaboration has fueled speculation that Trump may receive a newly created FIFA peace prize during the event. While Infantino hasn’t confirmed Trump as the recipient, he recently described the president as a “close friend” possessing “incredible energy,” and the timing aligns with Trump’s open campaign for Nobel Peace Prize recognition.

The presidential involvement extends to Sunday’s Kennedy Center Honors, where Trump is expected to serve as host—a role previously filled by broadcasting legend Walter Cronkite and other luminaries. When announcing this year’s honorees in August, Trump characterized his participation as reluctant acquiescence: “I’ve been asked to host. I said, I’m the President of the United States. Are you fools asking me to do that? Sir, you’ll get much higher ratings. I said ‘I don’t care.'”

This level of presidential engagement stands in sharp contrast to historical precedent. When the U.S. last hosted the World Cup in 1994, then-President Bill Clinton didn’t attend the draw in Las Vegas. Presidents at Kennedy Center Honors typically maintain a low profile, remaining in their box to applaud the honorees—a tradition Trump broke during his first term by skipping the event entirely.

The Kennedy Center’s transformation began rapidly after Trump returned to Washington in January. Within weeks, he ousted existing leadership, appointed supporters to the board of trustees, and assumed the role of board chair. The new administration criticized previous programming as “woke” and alleged financial mismanagement, initiating renovations that included replacing gold-colored columns with white ones.

Former Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter, who was removed from her position, has forcefully denied these allegations, stating in May that claims of poor financial oversight were “false” and that she left the institution “fiscally sound.”

The leadership change has triggered significant artistic fallout. Major productions like “Hamilton” canceled performances, while prominent artists including actor Issa Rae and author Louise Penny withdrew from scheduled appearances. Musical consultants Ben Folds and Renée Fleming resigned their positions. Jane Alexander, actor and former National Endowment for the Arts chair, expressed the sentiment of many artists, noting, “It was always a joy to be asked to perform at the Kennedy Center.”

The new leadership under President Richard Grenell emphasizes “common sense” programming with broad appeal that doesn’t lose money. However, Democratic lawmakers have questioned whether the new management is actually harming the institution financially. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released documents showing the Kennedy Center agreed to give FIFA “exclusive” use of the facility for nearly three weeks at no cost, potentially sacrificing millions in revenue.

Kennedy Center officials counter these claims, with Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi stating that FIFA is paying $7.4 million to host the draw, including a $2.4 million donation plus sponsorship opportunities and expenses. Grenell has reported raising $117 million this year.

The political tension surrounding the Kennedy Center marks a significant departure from its bipartisan origins, when Republican President Dwight Eisenhower worked with a Democratic Congress to establish a national cultural center. For decades, the Kennedy Center served as neutral territory where political differences were set aside—exemplified by ideological opposites Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously attending opera performances together.

The Kennedy Center Honors have historically recognized diverse artists regardless of political affiliations, with presidents of both parties attending the ceremony. This year’s honorees include some Trump supporters like actor Sylvester Stallone, who called Trump “the second George Washington,” and Kiss musician Ace Frehley. However, other recipients like Kiss member Paul Stanley have been critical of Trump, while Gloria Gaynor’s anthem “I Will Survive” resonates with groups often at odds with Trump policies.

Friday’s World Cup draw will feature celebrities including Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart, and Danny Ramirez, with performances by Andrea Bocelli, the Village People, Robbie Williams, and Nicole Scherzinger—a stark contrast to the Las Vegas draw’s headliners Vanessa Williams and James Brown.

This high-profile weekend comes during a challenging year for Washington, which Trump has characterized as crime-ridden despite falling violent crime rates. With tourism projected to decline in 2025, local officials hope these events might improve the city’s image. Elliott Ferguson, president of Destination DC, expressed cautious optimism: “For us as a destination, perhaps this gives us a chance to have some positive feedback.”