Kennedy Center to Close This July
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will close for about two years for renovations. The center will shut on July 4. Trump confirmed that his handpicked board must approve the plan and said financing is fully in place, though he did not detail the source of funds.
Trump Relies on Experts and Consultants
Trump explained that contractors, musical experts, art institutions, and other consultants reviewed the project. They weighed keeping the center partially open versus full closure. Trump said fully closing the center will produce faster results and higher-quality renovations. He promised a “Grand Reopening” and said the Kennedy Center could become “the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind.”
Controversy Over Funding and Name Change
The Kennedy Center spokesperson did not immediately comment on Trump’s decision. Representative Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, criticized the closure, saying Trump acted “with a total disregard for Congress.” She questioned how employees, artists, and contractors would be affected.
Last year, Trump’s board changed the center’s name to include his own, briefly placing it before President John F. Kennedy’s name. Kennedy family members and Congress condemned the change, and Beatty filed a lawsuit claiming it was illegal.
Artists Pull Out Amid Renovation Plans
Several artists canceled their appearances after the renaming. Composer Stephen Schwartz, known for the musical “Wicked,” withdrew from hosting a gala for the Washington National Opera, which has since left the Kennedy Center after performing there since 1971.
Trump Promises Major Upgrades
Trump has frequently toured the Kennedy Center and criticized its condition. He described the center as “tired, broken, and dilapidated” and promised upgrades to seating, decor, and structural elements. During the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, he announced that funds raised would go toward renovations.
