Kennedy Center to shut for Trump-led $257M rebuild on July 4
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. will close on 4 July for a major rebuild. Former President Donald Trump, who chairs the center's board, announced plans to transform it into a 'world-class bastion of arts, music, and entertainment'. He claims funding for the project is already secured in full.
The decision comes as the venue faces cancellations, including the withdrawal of a Philip Glass symphony premiere after Trump's name was added to the complex.
Trump's proposal to overhaul the Kennedy Center follows his 2024 budget proposal, 'One Big, Beautiful Bill', which allocated $257 million for repairs, restoration, and security upgrades at the site. The closure, set for Independence Day, aims to speed up construction and ensure higher standards than a phased renovation would allow.
The center's governing board, whose members were appointed by Trump, must still approve the plans. No public statements from artists or cultural organizations about the closure or rebranding have been recorded so far.
Recent controversies have already affected programming. The cancellation of the Philip Glass premiere followed the addition of Trump's name to the venue, though no further details on other withdrawals have been confirmed.
If approved, the rebuild will reshape one of America's most prominent cultural landmarks. The $257 million funding, earmarked for structural and security improvements, suggests a sweeping transformation. The center's future programming—and its ability to retain high-profile events—may depend on how the overhaul is received.
