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Kennedy Center Uses Endowment to Fund Washington Opera Amid Cuts

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 12:26 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The Kennedy Center tapped its endowment to fund the Washington National Opera.
Ticket sales at the Kennedy Center are expected to drop about two-thirds this year.
Donations fell roughly 40 percent in Q1 2026 versus the last four months of 2025.
Justice Department attorneys cited U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the Kennedy Center will become insolvent without recognition.

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Story summary

The Kennedy Center tapped its endowment to fund the Washington National Opera.
Ticket sales at the Kennedy Center are expected to drop about two-thirds this year.
Donations fell roughly 40 percent in Q1 2026 versus the last four months of 2025.
Justice Department attorneys cited U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the Kennedy Center will become insolvent without recognition.