You Vote: Regarding Trump plan to shut down Kennedy Center for major renovation, what do you think?

Trump said the center went through a one-year review period with contractors, musical experts, art institutions, and other advisors and consultants.

Published: February 2, 2026 8:16pm

President Trump announced on Sunday that there will be a temporary two-year closure of the Trump-Kennedy Center for a major renovation.

Trump said the center went through a one-year review period with contractors, musical experts, art institutions, and other advisors and consultants.

"I have determined that The Trump Kennedy Center, if temporarily closed for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding, can be, without question, the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"In other words, if 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!" he added.

Trump, the chairman of the center, has determined the venue has to close for two years. He said his decision is "totally subject to Board approval."

Trump estimated that the cost would be around $200 million and that financing for the project is already complete, though he did not indicate where the finances would come from.

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