President Donald Trump has announced plans to temporarily close the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts starting in July 2026 to facilitate a full-scale reconstruction of the iconic facility. The closure is expected to last about two years and is intended to address the center’s long-standing structural and financial challenges.
In a message posted on his platform Truth Social on Sunday, Trump outlined that a comprehensive one-year review was conducted involving contractors, music professionals, art institutions, and advisors. The assessment concluded that continuing performances amid renovation efforts would considerably prolong the project timeline and negatively impact the quality of construction.
"If the center remains open, the quality of construction will suffer and the time to complete the project will increase significantly," Trump stated. He further noted that efforts to maintain live events during construction would necessitate frequent pauses and interruptions, hampering efficiency.
To optimize results, Trump advocated for a complete temporary shutdown. He believes this approach would not only accelerate the construction process but also yield a higher standard of craftsmanship upon completion.
The timeline associated with the plan targets July 4, 2026, as the beginning of the closure period, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The center would then reopen roughly two years later with what Trump refers to as a "historic relaunch," showcasing a dramatically upgraded venue.
Characterizing the current state of the Kennedy Center, Trump described it as "tired, broken, and dilapidated," underscoring the ongoing issues faced by the institution over several years. The president characterized the impending overhaul as a transformative initiative that aims to create "the finest performing arts facility of its kind worldwide," emphasizing the ambition for both historical significance and unparalleled grandeur.
Though the president expressed confidence in the financing being secured to support the project, he emphasized that implementation of the proposal is contingent on approval from the Kennedy Center's governing board.
Beyond the renovation plan, Trump’s recent involvement with the Kennedy Center has generated controversy. Last year, his board renamed the facility the "Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." This move elicited legal challenges from Representative Joyce Beatty, who argued that only Congress holds authority to rename the center.
The renaming also impacted the center’s programming. Musician Chuck Redd chose to cancel a scheduled Jazz Jam performance in protest, prompting the center to demand $1 million in damages. Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell publicly decried the cancellation as a detrimental setback for the institution's nonprofit arts mission.
More recently, Trump promoted a documentary about Melania Trump titled "Twenty Days to History," which premiered at the Kennedy Center before opening in theaters. Despite the president's endorsement on social platform X, initial reports indicated that ticket sales were low.
Overall, the proposed full closure and reconstruction represent a significant intervention aimed at revitalizing a major cultural landmark, following years of financial and structural difficulties.