President Donald Trump has announced that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC will cease entertainment operations for approximately two years starting on 4 July, to undergo renovations. The announcement was made via a post on Truth Social on Sunday.
Trump stated that he had been reviewing the venue for a year to decide between a full closure or partial closure during reconstruction. He wrote that the fastest way to achieve 'the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur' is to halt operations and schedule a grand reopening that would 'rival and surpass' previous events. The plan is subject to board approval.
The Kennedy Center has been in turmoil since Trump orchestrated a leadership overhaul in February 2025, installing himself as chair. Since then, numerous performers have cancelled events, including the Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, actor Issa Rae, and musician Rhiannon Giddens. Ticket sales have plummeted, with 43% of tickets unsold between 3 September and 19 October, according to a Washington Post analysis.
In December, the new board voted to rename the institution the 'Trump-Kennedy Center', though any official name change would require congressional approval, as the venue is legally designated as a living memorial to former President John F. Kennedy. The Washington National Opera also announced in January it would move its performances out of the Kennedy Center after more than 40 years.
