President Donald Trump has declared his intention to close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., starting in July, initiating a closure expected to last two years dedicated to major construction and renovation works. The announcement came through social media on Sunday evening, occurring amidst a series of high-profile cancellations subsequent to changes in the center's leadership and the addition of President Trump's name to the building.
Trump made this statement just days after the Kennedy Center premiered "Melania," a documentary about the first lady, indicating a period of heightened attention on the venue. According to Trump, the proposal to close the center temporarily for renovations requires approval by the Kennedy Center board of trustees, a group he currently chairs and has filled with individuals aligned with his administration.
In his social media post, Trump described the project as a significant effort to revitalize what he termed a "tired, broken, and dilapidated Center" whose financial and physical state has been poor for many years. He emphasized that the renovation aims to transform the Kennedy Center into a "World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment," reflecting a major investment in elevating the venue's status.
This announcement has coincided with several leading performing arts organizations deciding to withdraw from the center. Notably, composer Philip Glass recently retracted the scheduled performance of his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln," citing a conflict between the Kennedy Center's current values and the thematic message of his composition.
Furthermore, the Washington National Opera declared its intention to relocate its performances away from the Kennedy Center, marking another prominent departure from the capital's premier performing arts venue following the new governance and branding changes instigated under Trump's leadership.