Trump sluit Kennedy Center twee jaar voor controversiële renovatie
Washington, maandag, 2 februari 2026.
Het Kennedy Center in Washington DC sluit vanaf 4 juli voor twee jaar. President Donald Trump kondigde de langdurige sluiting aan voor een grote renovatie. Het centrum is volgens hem ‘vermoeid en vervallen’. De maatregel komt na maanden van instabiliteit. Sinds Trump zijn naam aan het gebouw koppelde, trokken artiesten zich massaal terug. Componist Philip Glass noemde de waarden van het centrum ‘in directe tegenspraak’ met zijn werk. Ook vertrok de artistiek leider kort na zijn aanstelling. De financiering is rond, zei Trump, zonder details te geven. Critici zien de sluiting als een manoeuvre na de opheffing van het oude bestuur. Het centrum blijft wel congresgefundeerd, wat juridische vragen oproept. Een grootschalige transformatie wordt beloofd.
controversial closure amid leadership turmoil
The kennedy center’s scheduled closure on july 4, 2026, marks a pivotal moment in its history [1]. President donald trump declared the venue “tired, broken, and dilapidated,” necessitating a two-year overhaul [1]. This decision follows months of upheaval after trump assumed control of the board and appended his name to the institution in december 2025 [2][3]. The swift removal of prior leadership and appointment of loyalists like richard grenell intensified scrutiny [3][5]. Critics argue the shutdown serves political aims rather than structural necessity [2].
artist backlash and institutional instability
Prominent artists have severed ties with the kennedy center since the leadership change [2]. Composer philip glass withdrew his symphony no. 15 ‘lincoln,’ citing a “direct conflict” with the center’s new direction [2][3]. The washington national opera ended its fifty-year residency, relocating performances elsewhere [1][3]. Even internal appointments faltered—kevin couch, the newly named artistic lead, departed days after his announcement [3][5]. These withdrawals reflect broader unease among creatives regarding politicization of cultural spaces [2][4]. Such departures preceded the formal renovation announcement, signaling deep unrest [3].
funding questions and congressional tension
While trump asserts that “financing is completed, and fully in place,” no budget breakdown has been released [1][3]. In 2025, congress allocated $257 million for deferred maintenance across federal arts facilities—the relationship to these renovations remains unclear [3]. Representative joyce beatty filed legal action, arguing the closure violates legislative oversight powers because the center receives public funds [1][2]. She contends congress should approve any extended shutdown affecting taxpayer-supported institutions [1]. Legal experts note potential constitutional friction between executive actions and congressional appropriations authority [alert! ‘legal interpretation varies’].
renovation vision and symbolic transformation
Trump frames the renovation as elevating the center into a “world class bastion of arts, music, and entertainment” [1][2]. His remarks emphasize physical upgrades—seats, décor, infrastructure—but also promise realignment with “american tastes” in programming [1][3]. Analysts speculate this may favor mainstream musical theatre over politically charged works [3]. A proposed name change to the “trump–kennedy center” fuels debate about legacy and ownership [3][5]. Activist kerry kennedy vowed personally to remove trump’s name upon his presidency’s end using a pickaxe, symbolizing resistance [3][4].