Trump Pushes Last-Minute Agenda to Overhaul Kennedy Center

President seeks to force vote on shutting down iconic arts institution for up to 2 years

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:08pm

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In a last-minute move, former President Donald Trump is pressuring the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to rush through a vote on Monday to close the iconic cultural institution for up to two years as part of a sweeping transformation plan. Trump, who has already taken control of the Kennedy Center's board, is facing fierce opposition from a Democratic board member who argues the president is attempting to rebuild the center to his own specifications.

Why it matters

The Kennedy Center is a beloved national arts institution that has served as a hub for performing arts in the nation's capital for decades. Trump's efforts to overhaul and potentially shutter the center have raised concerns about political interference in the arts and the future of this cultural landmark.

The details

According to meeting documents that were forced to be released by a federal judge, Trump's handpicked trustees on the Kennedy Center board received a last-minute agenda on Sunday containing action items for their Monday meeting. The agenda includes remarks from Trump and former Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell, as well as a resolution that appears to gut the independence of the Washington National Opera from the institution. However, the released documents shed little light on Trump's actual plans for the Kennedy Center, raising questions about the thoroughness of the "one year review" he claimed to have conducted.

  • On Saturday, a federal judge issued a strongly worded order blocking the board from concealing details about the Monday meeting or barring a Democratic board member from attending to voice her objections.
  • The meeting agenda was circulated to the board on Sunday, while most of the country was watching the Academy Awards ceremonies.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who has taken control of the Kennedy Center's board and is pushing to close the institution for up to two years as part of a sweeping transformation plan.

Representative Joyce Beatty

A Democratic member of the Kennedy Center's board who has argued that Trump is attempting to rebuild the iconic cultural institution to his own specifications.

Richard Grenell

The former president of the Kennedy Center who is scheduled to speak at the Monday board meeting.

Judge Christopher R. Cooper

The federal judge who issued a strongly worded order blocking the board from concealing details about the Monday meeting or barring the Democratic board member from attending.

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What they’re saying

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— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

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The takeaway

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