Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Washington’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will close for two years beginning July 4, 2026, citing a major renovation effort following weeks of backlash from artists and cultural organizations.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, saying the decision followed a one-year review involving contractors, arts experts, and consultants, and that financing for the project is already secured. He claimed the building is structurally and financially deteriorated and said the closure would allow for a comprehensive rebuild, with a targeted reopening in 2028. Trump cited $257 million in funding for the project, though detailed documentation has not been released publicly.
The closure comes after Trump reshaped the Kennedy Center’s leadership, installing new trustees, naming himself chair of the board, and adding his name to the building. Those moves prompted several high-profile cancellations, including composer Philip Glass and the Washington National Opera, which announced it would relocate performances. Kevin Couch, the center’s head of artistic programming, resigned last week amid internal disputes and legal objections.
Neither Trump nor Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell has provided evidence supporting claims that the building is in disrepair. Last October, Trump had pledged the center would remain open during renovations. Critics, including members of Congress and the Kennedy family, argue only Congress has authority over the memorial and accuse Trump of politicizing a national cultural institution.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio board trustee, said the closure reflects disregard for congressional oversight and warned that renovation alone will not restore the center’s artistic independence.
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