Trump plans to shutter Kennedy Center for two years, causing upheaval for NSO, others
In a surprise announcement Sunday evening, President Trump declared that he will unilaterally close the Kennedy Center to all performances and other events as of July 4, 2026. The aim, according to his Truth Social media post, will be to “begin Construction of the new and spectacular Entertainment Complex.” He added, “Financing is completed, and fully in place!”
No one on the public relations team at the Kennedy Center or representing the National Symphony Orchestra or the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts series was able to be reached for comment. The president’s announcement implied that those organizations would cease all planned activities for a period of two years.
If any forethought was given to the livelihood of the musicians who perform regularly in the Kennedy Center, no mention of it was made in the President’s statement. President Trump claimed that his decision would be “subject to Board approval,” but as of Trump’s reconfiguration of the Kennedy Center board last year, the board is merely a rubber stamp for presidential decisions.
Although no specifics are given, it seems that the Kennedy Center would be demolished much like the White House East Wing and something new built in its place. As with the ongoing reconfiguration of the White House campus, the funding and architectural decisions will happen entirely outside the supervision of the United States Congress, as well as any other of the usual authorities, and with unspecified private funding.
This impulsive decision follows closely on the departure of Washington National Opera from the Kennedy Center and composer Philip Glass’s withdrawal of the world premiere of his Fifteenth Symphony, part of a mounting wave of artists abandoning the arts venue because of Trump’s ham-fisted take-over. The closure would be an easy way to cover over the impending financial disaster resulting from these cancellations.
9 Responses to “Trump plans to shutter Kennedy Center for two years, causing upheaval for NSO, others”
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Posted Feb 02, 2026 at 8:13 am by Jack Firestone
So he demolishes a third of the White House, shatters all norms, defames and dismantles the Kennedy Center board and staff, desecrates the building, and now he wants to destroy it all.
When is the Republican Congress going to get a spine and stop this tyrannical behavior.
Posted Feb 02, 2026 at 9:29 am by Joan Durak
The latest manifestation of the hostile takeover of the KC. Nothing better can be expected from the “self appointed chairman”. A shame!!
Posted Feb 02, 2026 at 10:49 am by idia
With all the time it will take to “renovate” (cough!) it might be closer to 4 years before it is done.
Yayyy!
Posted Feb 02, 2026 at 1:36 pm by Michael Freedberg
There’s no evidence – if so would love to see it – that the Kennedy Center is dilapidated and/or in dire need of renovation as Trump and Grenell claim. Much as Trump claimed that DC was crime infested to justify bringing in the troops these claims have no basis in fact.
Maybe there is some concrete that needs to be replaced in the parking garagen, but that does not justify this two-year shutdown!
Posted Feb 02, 2026 at 3:43 pm by James
Tell the NSO that as soon as they get established in another venue, I promise to attend several performances.
Posted Feb 02, 2026 at 5:21 pm by David Marc Friedman
This is really essentially the desecration, if not complete destruction, of a national memorial. Thank goodness Trump does not have control over the iconic Monuments on the National Mall.
Posted Feb 02, 2026 at 5:34 pm by Sheila Wexler
What will become of the NSO during two dormant years? No funding, no performances, no venue. 100 top musicians out of work. The NSO will find itself replaced by an MMA arena. Will D.C. be the only major city in the U.S. without a professional symphony?
Posted Feb 02, 2026 at 7:37 pm by Arnold Kappeler
This is what fearful old men, desperate for a legacy, do.
Posted Feb 03, 2026 at 12:11 pm by Patrick
Given the horrible acoustics of the concert hall, is it possible a rebuilt hall will be substantially better than the current one?
I hope NSO takes this opportunity to divorce themselves fully from KC. The coin they get from the arrangement is not worth the loss of their integrity and audiences.