President Trump announced on Sunday (February 1) that The Trump Kennedy Center, formerly known as the Kennedy Center, will be closed for two years starting July of this year for a comprehensive renovation.
On the social media platform “Truth Social,” Trump stated, “The Trump Kennedy Center will close on July 4, 2026, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, and we will simultaneously begin constructing this new, spectacular entertainment complex. The financing is already completed and fully in place!”
Trump emphasized that rather than conducting partial construction during performances and having to coordinate with the show schedule, it is better to close for two years at once. This will be the quickest way to elevate the success, beauty, and grandeur of the performing arts center to the highest level.
However, Trump mentioned that the decision to close the performing arts center is pending approval from the center’s board of directors. In February 2025, the Kennedy Center replaced several board members, following which the board elected Trump as the chairman. In December of the same year, the board voted to rename the center as “The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” also known as “The Trump Kennedy Center.”
Last December, Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors at the center. Last week, the center also held the global premiere of the documentary “Melania,” featuring First Lady Melania Trump. Both Trump and Melania attended the event.
However, since the decision of the Kennedy Center board to incorporate Trump’s name into the center’s title, critics have raised objections, leading to several artists and groups scheduled to perform at this famous performing arts venue in the U.S. capital canceling their appearances.
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened in 1971 to honor former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1964. According to its official website, the center typically hosts over 2,000 performances each year.