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Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close Main Building

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 6:42 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kennedy Center Closes

Kennedy Center board voted to close the main building immediately.
A ceiling collapse in the Grand Foyer prompted safety warnings and the board’s claim the building is unsafe.
Judge Christopher Cooper ruled the board cannot add President Donald Trump’s name to the venue or rename the plaza.
Washington National Opera withdrew its residency amid the dispute.
Several artists canceled performances amid the dispute.

Summary

Miller Calls Protest

Activist Mallory Miller announced a “Hands Around the Kennedy Center” protest for Friday, urging opposition to the closure.
Security staff installed extensive fencing and metal gates around the main building after the board’s shutdown vote.
A law-firm staffer was denied entry on Wednesday, confirming the venue’s locked status.
Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the U.S. President Donald Trump and board to reply to Beatty’s motion by Thursday 10 a.m. Eastern.

History

Historical Context

After the GSA awarded the Old Post Office to the Trump Organization in 2013, the firm pledged a $200 million renovation and signed a 60-year lease with monthly rent of $250,000, later sparking emoluments lawsuits. That long-standing conflict-of-interest battle frames the Kennedy Center board’s attempt to rename the venue after Trump, now blocked by Judge Cooper.

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Kennedy Center Closes

Kennedy Center board voted to close the main building immediately.
A ceiling collapse in the Grand Foyer prompted safety warnings and the board’s claim the building is unsafe.
Judge Christopher Cooper ruled the board cannot add President Donald Trump’s name to the venue or rename the plaza.
Washington National Opera withdrew its residency amid the dispute.
Several artists canceled performances amid the dispute.

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