Story perspectives

Trump Orders Kennedy Center Closure, Sparking Controversy

2/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two-year closure of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts starting July 4 for renovations.
Richard Grenell, Kennedy Center President, told staff that the center would scale down, with potential layoffs.
Critics described the renovation as "dismantling" and blamed leadership failures for falling ticket sales.
Trump criticized the center's programming as "too woke" and anti-American.
He moved to appoint himself board chair.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two-year closure of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts starting July 4 for renovations.
Richard Grenell, Kennedy Center President, told staff that the center would scale down, with potential layoffs.
Critics described the renovation as "dismantling" and blamed leadership failures for falling ticket sales.
Trump criticized the center's programming as "too woke" and anti-American.
He moved to appoint himself board chair.