In a significant announcement that has sent shockwaves through the cultural community, former President Donald Trump has declared that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC will halt all entertainment operations for a two-year period. The suspension is scheduled to commence on the 4th of July, coinciding with the start of extensive renovation works at the world-renowned venue.
Trump's Social Media Declaration
Trump made the announcement via a detailed post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday. In his statement, he revealed that he had been conducting a year-long review of the centre's operations, weighing the options between a complete closure and a partial shutdown during the planned reconstruction. The former president asserted that his decision was based on these findings, though he noted it remains subject to formal board approval.
"Based on these findings, and totally subject to Board approval, 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," Trump wrote. He further promised a grand reopening that would "rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before."
Months of Turmoil and Cancellations
This announcement comes after months of considerable turmoil at the institution, which began when Trump orchestrated a comprehensive leadership overhaul shortly after assuming control in February 2025. The former president was immediately named chair of the institution by the newly appointed board. At the time, he outlined his vision for the venue, stating, "We're going to make sure that it's good and it's not going to be woke. There's no more woke in this country."
The centre, which historically hosts over 2,000 events annually, has experienced a dramatic wave of cancellations from prominent performers and artists since Trump's involvement began. Notable figures who have pulled out of planned shows include Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, who stated in March that "our show simply cannot, in conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center."
Artist Exodus and Board Resignations
The list of artists cancelling performances extends to actor and producer Issa Rae, Grammy-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens, Peter Wolf, and the rock band Low Cut Connie. Furthermore, several high-profile figures have resigned from their positions in protest. Television producer Shonda Rhimes stepped down from the board of trustees in February, while soprano Renée Fleming and singer-songwriter Ben Folds resigned as artistic advisers.
In a controversial move last December, the Trump-selected board of trustees voted to rename the institution the "Trump-Kennedy Center." However, legal experts have noted that, by law, the venue is designated as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, established as a living memorial to the former president. Any official name change would likely require congressional approval.
Plummeting Ticket Sales and Opera Departure
An analysis conducted for the Washington Post revealed a stark decline in ticket sales at the Kennedy Center last year. Data examined from early September to mid-October showed that a staggering 43% of tickets for typical productions remained unsold, marking the lowest sales figures in years.
Adding to the centre's challenges, the Washington National Opera announced in January that, after more than four decades, it would be relocating its performances away from the Kennedy Center. This departure represents a significant loss for the venue's cultural programming and prestige.
The planned two-year closure, while framed as necessary for renovations, represents the culmination of a deeply contentious period for one of America's most iconic cultural institutions. The coming months will reveal how the centre navigates this unprecedented shutdown and what its future holds under its current leadership.
