Trump Proposes Plan To Shut Down Rebranded Trump-Kennedy Center, Promises ‘Spectacular’ Result

The Trump Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will close for about two years on July Fourth for renovations, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday.

The president made the recommendation to completely close the center for two years, instead of keeping it partially open to undergo renovations, after a one year review of the arts building conducted by “Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“[I]f we don’t close, the quality of Construction will not be nearly as good, and the time to completion, because of interruptions with Audiences from the many Events using the Facility, will be much longer. The temporary closure will produce a much faster and higher quality result!” the president wrote.

Trump noted that the decision to close the center for two years is “totally subject to Board approval.” Trump, who chairs the board, overhauled the board’s members last year. The new board has reformed the lineup at the center to remove some events, such as those inspired by DEI.

Last week, the center hosted the premiere of “Melania,” a documentary following the first lady for the 20 days prior to Trump’s second inauguration.

“The Trump Kennedy Center will close on July 4th, 2026, in honor of the 250th Anniversary of our Country, whereupon we will simultaneously begin Construction of the new and spectacular Entertainment Complex,” the president wrote.

He noted that “Financing is completed, and fully in place,” though it is not clear where the financing is from.

“This important decision, based on input from many Highly Respected Experts, will take a tired, broken, and dilapidated Center, one that has been in bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years, and turn it into a World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment, far better than it has ever been before. America will be very proud of its new and beautiful Landmark for many generations to come,” the president said.

The center’s lineup has undergone significant changes since Trump reformed the center’s board. The changes have caused some backlash among entertainers and participants while others have announced an end to performances at the center. In January, the Washington National Opera announced that it would stop performing at the center after an “amicable transition” away.