Future of NSO, other Kennedy Center series, remains in doubt due to new actions of Trump, KC board
The Kennedy Center board of trustees voted on Thursday to approve—for the second time—President Trump’s demand for the two-year closure of the venue’s main building.
The latest decision comes after a federal district court judge had ordered the building to remain open to allow for study of the impact of closure. The board now claims that leaving the Reach extension open will allow minimal programming and provide a way for the center to fulfill its congressionally mandated role as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
In an even more defiant gesture, the board also voted to return Trump’s name to the building’s marble facade. The resolution would add an inscription under the center’s name reading, “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.” In May the same judge explicitly stated that the KC board’s decision to rename the institution was illegal, meaning that the new wording will likely also be struck down by the court. In any case, no restoration or renovation has even taken place as yet.
There have been reports of mass firing of KC employees in the areas of programming, box office ticketing and subscriptions, fundraising, and volunteer tour guides had already put in question even the possibility of the center remaining open in any meaningful way. Since February last year, the board has consisted entirely of supporters appointed by Trump, who immediately appointed the president as chairman of the board.
Because of all this backstage drama, the KC board has not yet approved a budget for the 2026-2027 concert season.
The impasse means that the National Symphony Orchestra and the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts series continue to be unable to sign any contracts for venue rentals or artist engagements for the upcoming year. Furthermore, no ballet or musical performances can be planned for the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, which for now will be limited to its other role as the Washington National Opera Orchestra.
This entirely unnecessary fiasco instigated by President Trump and a pliant KC board has put the NSO in a precarious financial position. Both ticket sales and fund-raising have cratered, according to confidential documents obtained by the Washington Post, leaving the NSO with a significant deficit last season. Performance revenue has fallen short for both pops and classical concerts, with the only bright side appearing when the NSO has performed outside the Kennedy Center.
That last advantage lies behind the NSO’s expansion of its summer residency at Wolf Trap, where it has played to nearly full houses at almost every concert by some reports. Music director Gianandrea Noseda himself will lead Friday’s NSO performance at Wolf Trap. Beethoven’s Consecration of the House overture and Elegiac Song will introduce the composer’s colossal Ninth Symphony.
