US EditionTrump Says Kennedy Center Will Close for Two Years for Renovations
The Kennedy Center will close for two years starting this July for major renovations after a wave of cancellations and board changes under Trump's leadership.
- On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced he will close the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts for two years beginning July 4, 2026, saying financing is completed and fully in place.
- Framing the work as urgent, Trump argued a full shutdown would enable faster, higher-quality renovations, with the Kennedy Center board of trustees voting to include his name.
- Several leading artists canceled scheduled appearances, including composer Philip Glass, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Issa Rae, and the Kennedy Center's head of artistic programming abruptly left last week.
- Facing legal challenge and protests, Rep. Joyce Beatty sued in December, saying Trump acted with 'total disregard for Congress,' while Kennedy family members including Maria Shriver and Kerry Kennedy publicly condemned the renaming and closure.
- Because the Kennedy Center is congressionally funded, Congress should have been consulted before a two-year shutdown, and earlier this month, the Washington National Opera announced it will move performances away.
387 Articles
387 Articles
Yakima Herald-Republic
Trump says he won't tear down the Kennedy Center arts venue but it needs to be closed for repairs
President Donald Trump says he won't tear down the Kennedy Center. Asked about his Sunday announcement that he wants to close the center for two years, Trump said Monday that the building needs repairs and the work can't be done…
Trump to close Kennedy Center after takeover. Here’s everything we know
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will close in July for two years, Donald Trump announced Sunday, saying the center needs renovations. But its reputation is what seems to need renovation, given that major acts have canceled and ticket sales have tanked since Trump took over the once-esteemed venue. Open since 1971, it had already undergone a renovation and expansion in 2019. Here’s what’s happened to the ce…
A gigantic ballroom and the largest triumphal arch in the world: Donald Trump is determined to perpetuate himself in as many places as possible. In the case of the Kennedy Center, this obviously did not go according to plan.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
