Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Feb 2: US President Donald Trump has announced plans to temporarily shut the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for nearly two years to carry out what he described as a complete rebuilding and revitalisation of the iconic institution. The proposal, which is subject to board approval, comes amid ongoing controversy, staff unrest and a wave of event cancellations following sweeping changes introduced under his leadership.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said that closing the centre would allow construction to be completed faster and to a higher standard. “I have determined that The Trump Kennedy Center, if temporarily closed for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding, can be, without question, the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World,” he wrote, adding that keeping it open would delay and compromise the quality of work.
According to Trump, the closure could begin on July 4, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary, with construction starting immediately. He claimed that financing for the project was already secured and said expert advice had shaped the decision to transform what he called a “tired, broken, and dilapidated” centre into a world-class cultural hub.
Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell confirmed the plan in an email to staff, stating that more details on staffing and operational changes would be shared soon. In a separate post, Grenell cited $257 million allocated last year for capital repairs, maintenance backlog and security upgrades, saying a temporary shutdown “just makes sense” and would speed up completion.
Since Trump took over as chairman last year, the centre has undergone visible changes, including the addition of his name to the facade, repainting exterior columns, and displaying portraits of the first and second couples inside. These moves have sparked legal challenges and criticism, as US law and custom generally prohibit memorialising living figures. Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation and filed lawsuits to reverse the renaming.
The proposed closure has drawn sharp political backlash. Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio said Congress should have been consulted, noting that the Kennedy Center is congressionally funded. Members of the Kennedy family also criticised the move, with Jack Schlossberg and former congressman Joe Kennedy III warning that the institution’s legacy and public purpose were being undermined.
Several Democratic leaders condemned the plan, while uncertainty looms over the future of annual events such as the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize. Staff members told US media they had not been formally informed of the closure plans in advance.
The turmoil has coincided with falling ticket sales, empty seats, and the exit of several prominent artists and institutions, including the Washington National Opera. Dozens of performers have cancelled appearances, and senior programming officials have resigned or been dismissed.
Trump and his team have repeatedly accused previous leadership of mismanagement and neglect, claims that former officials deny and which remain under investigation by Senate Democrats. Despite the backlash, Trump has insisted the overhaul is necessary, saying the centre was in “tremendous disrepair” and blaming years of poor management.