President Donald Trump has declared plans to shut down the iconic Kennedy Center for a two-year period to facilitate a massive reconstruction project. The proposal is the latest seismic shift for the institution since Trump assumed leadership nearly a year ago.
Donald Trump announces Kennedy Center will shut down for construction
President Donald Trump said on February 1, 2026 that he plans to close the Kennedy Center for roughly two years to undergo construction. The move comes amid a series of high-profile cancellations and internal upheaval that have characterized his tenure remaking the arts institution.
“I have determined that The Trump Kennedy Center, if temporarily closed for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding, can be, without question, the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He argued that a full closure would allow for superior quality work and a faster completion timeline than trying to remain open during renovations.
Under the proposal, which Trump said is subject to board approval, the center could close as soon as July 4, aligning with America’s 250th anniversary. “Financing is completed, and fully in place!” Trump asserted, promising to transform a “tired, broken, and dilapidated Center” into “a world-class” venue.
Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell confirmed the plans in a Sunday evening email to staff. “We will have more information about staffing and operational changes in the coming days,” he wrote (via The Washington Post). On X (formerly Twitter), Grenell cited $257 million in funds appropriated by Congress last year for capital repairs and maintenance, thanking Trump for his “visionary leadership.”
The board’s controversial vote in December to add Donald Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center triggered a wave of artist cancellations and exits. Dozens of performers and nearly every head of programming have exited, while ticket sales have reportedly fallen dramatically.
