Trump Orders Kennedy Center Closed For Two Years

On Sunday evening, President Donald Trump made a sweeping announcement that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. will close its doors for two years, starting July 4, 2026, to undergo what he described as a "complete rebuilding" and revitalization. The move, which Trump declared on his Truth Social platform and was echoed by Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell, marks a dramatic chapter in the storied institution’s history—and one that has already sparked controversy, legal threats, and a wave of artist boycotts.

Trump’s post was as grandiose as the plans themselves. "The Trump Kennedy Center will close on July 4th, 2026, in honor of the 250th Anniversary of our Country, whereupon we will simultaneously begin Construction of the new and spectacular Entertainment Complex," he wrote, emphasizing that "financing is completed, and fully in place!" According to The Hill, Trump argued that a one-time, two-year closure was preferable to a drawn-out series of partial shutdowns, which would have required construction to work around ongoing performances. "The temporary closure will produce a much faster and higher quality result!" he insisted.

But Trump’s ambitious vision is not yet a done deal. He noted that the plan is "totally subject to board approval." That board, now chaired by Trump himself after a controversial shake-up in February 2025, is stacked with his allies, raising eyebrows among critics who see the move as a consolidation of control over one of the nation’s most prominent arts institutions.

Richard Grenell, the Center’s president and a close Trump associate, quickly voiced support for the closure. On X (formerly Twitter), Grenell thanked Trump for his "visionary leadership" and lauded Congress for appropriating an "historic $257M to finally address decades of deferred maintenance and repairs at the Trump Kennedy Center." Grenell argued, "Temporarily closing the Center just makes sense—it will enable us to better invest our resources, think bigger and make the historic renovations more comprehensive. It also means we will be finished faster." According to CNN, Trump’s "One Big, Beautiful Bill" included that $257 million for capital repairs, restoration, and security upgrades.

Yet, not everyone is on board with the sweeping changes. The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, has been at the center of political and cultural storms since Trump took the reins. In December 2025, the board voted to rename the center "The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts," a move that immediately drew fierce backlash from the Kennedy family and sparked a cascade of artist cancellations.

Joe Kennedy III, a former Democratic congressman and grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, posted on X, "While this trespass on the People’s will is painful, President Kennedy would remind us that it is not buildings that define the greatness of a nation. It is the actions of its people and its leaders." Maria Shriver, John F. Kennedy’s niece, chimed in with a satirical post suggesting the closure was a ploy to distract from the exodus of performers: "I’ve determined that due to this change in schedule, it’s best for me to close this center down and rebuild a new center that will bear my name, which will surely get everybody to stop talking about the fact that everybody’s canceling… right?"

The backlash hasn’t just been rhetorical. Since the renaming, a growing list of high-profile artists—including composer Philip Glass, opera singer Renée Fleming, banjo player Béla Fleck, Doug Varone and Dancers, Kristy Lee, and even the Washington National Opera—have pulled out of scheduled performances. CNN reported that Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds resigned from leadership roles. Jeffrey Seller, the producer behind the hit musical "Hamilton," canceled the show’s planned run. According to The Washington Post, ticket sales have slumped since Trump took control of the Center’s operations.

Staff at the Kennedy Center, for their part, were blindsided by the announcement. As CBS News reported, many learned about the two-year closure via Trump’s social media post on Sunday night. "I don’t know what any of it means," one senior staffer admitted anonymously, reflecting the confusion and uncertainty swirling around the institution.

Meanwhile, legal challenges are brewing. Democracy Defenders Action and the Washington Litigation Group, which already represent former board member Rep. Joyce Beatty in a lawsuit challenging the renaming, issued a joint statement Sunday threatening further legal action. "The Kennedy Center was illegally renamed. Ever since, artists and patrons have left in protest. That is embarrassing. Donald Trump's recent announcement that he will be closing the Center for two years raises serious questions about whether his purpose isn't to renovate but to shut the Center down to avoid further embarrassment," the groups said. "This will add further injury to the damage already done. We already have court proceedings pending and we will be considering all legal remedies to address this new and concerning development."

Trump, for his part, has painted the Center as a "tired, broken, and dilapidated" institution "in bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years." He’s promised that the overhaul will make it "a World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment, far better than it has ever been before." But specifics about the planned renovations remain vague. Neither Trump nor Grenell have detailed the precise structural issues or the scope of the work to be done, leaving artists, staff, and the public guessing about what the "complete rebuilding" will actually entail.

The closure comes at a time when Trump has made a point of reshaping the cultural landscape of the capital. In addition to the Kennedy Center, he has overseen the demolition of the White House’s East Wing to build a new ballroom and has announced plans for a giant triumphal arch to mark the country’s 250th anniversary. During his second term, Trump has also made history as the first president to emcee the Kennedy Center Honors, handing out awards to figures like Sylvester Stallone, KISS, and Gloria Gaynor, and recently attended the premiere of First Lady Melania Trump’s documentary at the venue.

For now, the future of the Kennedy Center—and its role as a national symbol of the arts—hangs in the balance. As the July 4 closure date approaches, all eyes will be on the board’s decision, the courts, and the ongoing tug-of-war between artistic tradition and political ambition. One thing’s for sure: the next two years will be anything but quiet for this iconic institution.