2 hours ago
Last Updated:February 02, 2026, 07:22 IST
Trump said the proposed closure would allow a comprehensive reconstruction of the Washington-based cultural institution.
Trump Announces Two-Year Closure Of Kennedy Center For Complete Revamp (Photo: X)
The John F Kennedy Memorial Center for Performing Arts will stop hosting events for around two years from July 4, 2026. The announcement was made by US President Donald Trump on Sunday.
Trump said the proposed closure would allow a comprehensive reconstruction of the Washington-based cultural institution. The move comes amid reported criticism from artists and performers.
What Trump said?
Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated that the Kennedy Center would shut its doors from Independence Day in 2026. The date also marks the 250th anniversary of the United States. He said the closure would help carry out what he described as a complete revitalisation of the venue, subject to approval by its governing board.
Trump explained that after a one-year review involving contractors, musical experts, art institutions, advisers and consultants, two options were considered. One was to carry out construction while keeping performances running. The other was to temporarily close the centre for rebuilding work.
He said this would make the Kennedy Center “the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World".
““After a one year review of The Trump Kennedy Center, that has taken place with Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants, deciding between either Construction with Closure and Re-Opening or, Partial Construction while continuing Entertainment Operations through a much longer period of time, working in and around the Performances, 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," reads the US President’s post on X.
He said he had decided that a temporary closure would lead to faster and better results.
Reason for full closure
Trump said that if the centre remained open during renovation, the quality of construction would suffer and the time to completion would be much longer due to interruptions from audiences and ongoing events.
According to his statement, closing the facility for around two years would allow construction, revitalisation and complete rebuilding to take place without disruption. He added that the decision was based on inputs from experts and would result in a grand reopening that would surpass similar facilities.
“If we don’t close, the quality of Construction will not be nearly as good, and the time to completion, because of interruptions with Audiences from the many Events using the Facility, will be much longer. The temporary closure will produce a much faster and higher quality result! Based on these findings, and totally subject to Board approval, I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time," Trump added.
Financing and reconstruction plan
Trump stated that financing for the project was already completed and fully in place. He described the present condition of the centre as financially and structurally weak, saying it had been in poor condition for many years.
He said the reconstruction would turn it into a “World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment" and that the United States would be proud of the new landmark for generations.
Backlash
The announcement comes amid unease and backlash from sections of the artistic community. Performers have expressed concerns over possible disruptions to programming and governance during the closure.
It remains unclear how existing commitments, resident companies and international partnerships will be handled during the two-year shutdown, as the proposal awaits approval from the governing board.
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Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
February 02, 2026, 07:22 IST
News world ‘Broken, Dilapidated’: Trump Announces 2-Year Closure Of Kennedy Centre From July 4
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