The Kennedy Center board has voted to close the performing arts institution for two years as part of a major renovation plan, while also approving a controversial inscription honoring President Donald Trump.
The decision, made Thursday by the board appointed under Trump, comes amid an ongoing legal battle over the president’s efforts to reshape the Kennedy Center and increase his influence over the historic Washington, D.C., institution.
According to people briefed on the decision, the board voted again to shut the main complex during the renovation period. However, the REACH, a separate section of the Kennedy Center designed for smaller performances and community programs, is expected to remain open.
The center has been ordered to provide a federal judge with details about the proposed renovation and closure by August 18.
Kennedy Center renovation plan includes Trump inscription
The board’s latest decision also includes plans to place an inscription beneath the Kennedy Center sign stating that the complex was “Restored and Renovated by President Donald J. Trump.”
The move is likely to intensify the legal and political controversy surrounding the institution.
One person familiar with the decision said the inscription is not intended to formally rename the Kennedy Center. Another described it as a permanent reminder of Trump’s role in the renovation.
The decision comes after the board previously attempted to add Trump’s name to the institution. That move was challenged in court, with a federal judge ruling that the board did not have the authority to change the legally established name of the Kennedy Center.
The judge also ordered Trump’s name removed from the building’s facade. Workers subsequently took down the letters bearing his name, although much of the work was shielded from public view by scaffolding and large tarps.
Federal law governing the Kennedy Center places restrictions on memorials and plaques that can be installed at the publicly funded institution, adding another potential legal complication to the new inscription.
Kennedy Center closure follows months of legal battles
The Kennedy Center has been at the center of a growing dispute since Trump took control of its board during his second term.
Trump announced plans earlier this year to close the complex for renovations, arguing that the facility was in poor condition. The proposed shutdown later became the subject of a federal court case.
In May, US District Judge Casey Cooper blocked the planned closure and directed the board to consider maintaining some programming while renovation work takes place. The judge said the institution must continue carrying out its responsibilities under federal law.
The latest plan to keep the REACH open appears to address at least part of the court’s concern by allowing some performances and activities to continue while the main building undergoes work.
The Kennedy Center must now provide the court with more information about how the closure and renovation would operate.
Trump continues to reshape the Kennedy Center
Trump’s involvement with the Kennedy Center has extended beyond the proposed renovation.
During his second term, the institution has increasingly featured events and projects closely associated with the president and his administration. Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors in December, while the center later hosted the premiere of a documentary involving first lady Melania Trump.
The venue also hosted the final round of a national civics competition backed by the president.
At the same time, the institution has faced declining ticket sales, staff reductions, political disputes and cancellations by artists opposed to Trump’s involvement.
The controversy also resulted in a separate legal dispute involving jazz musician Chuck Redd. After Redd canceled a Christmas Eve performance following the addition of Trump’s name to the venue, the Kennedy Center sued him. A local judge later ordered the institution to pay Redd’s legal fees.
Kennedy Center faces uncertain future
The latest board vote highlights the difficult position facing one of America’s best known performing arts institutions.
Supporters of the renovation argue that major work is necessary to improve the aging complex and modernize its facilities. Critics, however, have raised concerns that the renovation and proposed closure are being used as part of a broader effort to reshape the Kennedy Center’s identity and programming.
The planned inscription has added another layer to the dispute, particularly because of the previous court ruling concerning Trump’s name and the legal restrictions surrounding memorials at the center.
For now, the Kennedy Center’s main complex is expected to face a lengthy shutdown if the renovation plan proceeds. The REACH would remain available for smaller events, giving the institution at least some ability to maintain public programming during the construction period.
The coming court review could determine whether the board’s latest plan moves forward as proposed. With legal questions, financial pressures and political disagreements continuing to surround the institution, the future of the Kennedy Center remains deeply contested.
