Trump Announces Major Two-Year Closure of Kennedy Center for Renovation
Former President Donald Trump has declared that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC will close temporarily for two years, beginning in July. The decision, announced via a Truth Social post on Sunday evening, is framed as necessary for substantial construction work to transform the venue.
"Tired and Dilapidated": Trump's Justification for the Shutdown
In his statement, Trump described the iconic centre as being in a state of disrepair. "The Kennedy Center is tired, broken, and dilapidated," he wrote, adding that it has suffered from "bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years." The closure is intended to pave the way for creating what he termed "the finest performing arts facility of its kind, anywhere in the world" and a "new and spectacular entertainment complex."
This announcement follows Trump's earlier overhaul of the centre's leadership at the start of his second term, which included renaming the institution to incorporate his own name. The move has proven controversial within the arts community.
Growing Backlash and Performance Cancellations
The planned closure coincides with a growing wave of cancellations from prominent performers protesting Trump's influence over the venue. Last week, celebrated American composer Philip Glass withdrew the world premiere of his latest symphony, Lincoln, from the centre's schedule.
Glass explicitly stated that "the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the symphony." This boycott is part of a broader trend that has seen record low ticket sales and numerous cancellations in recent months, reflecting significant backlash against the administration's cultural policies.
Broader Political Context of the Announcement
Trump's Kennedy Center declaration was made amidst a busy news cycle concerning his administration. Key developments reported on the same day include:
- The deputy US attorney general, Todd Blanche, stating that the review of the Jeffrey Epstein-Ghislaine Maxwell sex-trafficking case "is over," despite calls from survivors for further accountability.
- The identification of two federal agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which has sparked renewed demonstrations.
- The release of a five-year-old boy and his father from an immigration detention centre in Texas.
- Ongoing talks between the Trump administration and Cuban leadership regarding a potential deal.
- The continuation of a partial US government shutdown amid a funding standoff.
The Kennedy Center's temporary shutdown represents a significant moment for Washington's cultural landscape, marking a period of uncertainty for one of the nation's most prestigious performing arts institutions.
