Kennedy Center to close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says

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Kennedy Center to close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says February 1, 20268:09 PM ET

President Trump arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sunday after returning from a trip to Florida. He says he will move to close the Kennedy Center for two years for renovations.

President Trump arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Sunday after returning from a trip to Florida. He says he will move to close the Kennedy Center for two years for renovations. Mark Schiefelbein/AP hide caption

toggle caption Mark Schiefelbein/AP

WASHINGTON — President Trump said Sunday he will move to close Washington’s Kennedy Center performing arts venue for two years starting in July for construction.

Trump’s announcement on social media follows a wave of cancellations since Trump ousted the previous leadership and added his name to the building. Trump made no mention in his post of the recent cancellations.

A recently installed sign at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center on Jan. 10. The renaming of the center has not been approved by Congress. under the performing arts complex' A general view shows the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on January 10, 2026. The Washington National Opera announced on January 9 that it would move its performances from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which has been its home since 1971. Artists have cancelled performances at Washington's premier performing arts center to protest its renaming to include US President Donald Trump. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

Performing Arts

More staff shakeups at the Kennedy Center

Trump announced his plan days after the premiere of Melania, a documentary of the first lady, was shown at the storied venue. The proposal, he said, is subject to approval by the board of the Kennedy Center, which has been stocked with his hand-picked allies. Trump himself chairs the center’s board of trustees.

“This important decision, based on input from many Highly Respected Experts, will take a tired, broken, and dilapidated Center, one that has been in bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years, and turn it into a World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment,” Trump wrote in his post.

Sponsor MessageA general view of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 10, 2026. Artists have cancelled performances at Washington's premier performing arts center to protest its renaming to include President Donald Trump.

Performing Arts

Here’s who’s canceled their Kennedy Center performances since Trump took over

Leading performing arts groups have pulled out of appearances, most recently, composer Philip Glass, who announced his decision to withdraw his Symphony No. 15 “Lincoln” because he said the values of the center today are in “direct conflict” with the message of the piece.

Earlier this month, the Washington National Opera announced that it will move performances away from the Kennedy Center in another high-profile departure following Trump’s takeover of the U.S. capital’s leading performing arts venue.

A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

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