President Donald Trump announced on Sunday plans to close Washington's Kennedy Center for two years starting July 4th for renovations, continuing his efforts to redefine the iconic performing arts venue. This decision comes amid a string of cancellations by high-profile artists following Trump's takeover of the center, which included ousting previous leadership and placing his name prominently on the building.
In a social media post, Trump stated that the closure is intended to transform the "tired, broken, and dilapidated Center" into a "World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment." Despite his claims, neither Trump nor Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, a Trump ally, provided any evidence regarding allegations of the building's disrepair. Notably, last October, Trump had promised that the center would remain open during renovations.
As Trump gears up for this undertaking, Grenell referred to the renovations as essential for creating a finer arts institution and cited Congress-approved funds for repairs. He reassured that the temporary closure would expedite the renovation process, allowing for more comprehensive upgrades. However, the announcement has met with significant backlash as many view it as a disruption to a venue that has served as a national cultural center since its inception in 1964.
The Kennedy Center opened in 1971 and has since been a public showcase for the arts, including performances by the National Symphony Orchestra. Trump's attempt to overhaul the center is part of a larger trend in which he has sought to reshape various Washington landmarks since returning to the White House, including plans for a new ballroom at the White House and a triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial.
Leading performing arts organizations have recently withdrawn from performing at the Kennedy Center; composer Philip Glass notably pulled out of his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln," citing conflicts between the center's current values and the message of his piece. Similarly, the Washington National Opera announced its intention to move performances away from the venue amid rising tensions following Trump's control. Adding to the turmoil, the Kennedy Center's head of artistic programming resigned abruptly shortly after being appointed.
Concerns surrounding Trump's management of the Kennedy Center have also been echoed by family members of the late President John F. Kennedy. Kerry Kennedy, a niece, expressed her intentions to remove Trump’s name from the building post-presidency, while Maria Shriver criticized the renaming, stating, "It is beyond wild that he would think adding his name in front of President Kennedy’s name is acceptable." Shriver took to social media again following Trump’s renovation announcement, suggesting that the closure was a distraction from the ongoing cancellations of artists.
Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio trustee of the center's board, criticized Trump for operating with "total disregard for Congress," which oversees funding allocations for the Kennedy Center. Beatty questioned the future of both the artists and the building itself, asserting that "remodeling the premises will not restore the Kennedy Center to what it was" and emphasizing the need for a return to artistic independence. She suggested that American artists are rejecting Trump's "attempted takeover" of the venue.
The controversial plans for the Kennedy Center under Trump continue to spark debate, reflecting wider divisions in the cultural and political landscape as the arts community responds to the changes dictated by the new leadership.
