Trump to close Kennedy Center for renovations amid backlash from performers

US president says the arts complex will close for two years for reconstruction starting in July.Published On 2 Feb 2026United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to close the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts for two years for renovations starting in July.Trump’s announcement on Sunday follows a wave of cancellations by leading performers, musicians and groups since the president ousted the previous leadership and added his name to the building.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Hamilton comes home to Puerto Ricolist 2 of 3Kennedy Center board votes to rename in honour of Trump, White House sayslist 3 of 3‘Trump-Kennedy Center’: Trump’s name added to venue’s facadeend of listTrump made no mention in his post of the recent cancellations.“I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time,” he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.“The temporary closure will produce a much faster and higher quality result!”The closure will start on July 4, to coincide with the 250th Independence Day celebration.The decision, Trump said, will be subject to approval of the board, which he handpicked upon taking over as chairman.The president added that the facility’s various entertainment events – concerts, operas, musicals, ballet performances, and interactive arts – would impede and slow the construction and renovation operations, and that a full temporary closure would be necessary.“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,” he said.“America will be very proud of its new and beautiful Landmark for many generations to come.”