Patti LuPone Slams Trump Over Kennedy Center Shakeup

The Broadway icon urged the crowd at her New York City concert to "rise up and speak" out following changes at the renowned institution.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Actor Patti LuPone criticized President Donald Trump on Monday for his plan to close the Kennedy Center following his controversial takeover of the famed arts venue. LuPone called Trump a "buffoon" and urged the audience at her Carnegie Hall concert to "rise up and speak" out against his decision to renovate the "tired, broken and dilapidated" D.C. building that houses the Kennedy Center.

Why it matters

The Kennedy Center has undergone a MAGA rebrand since Trump's return to office, with the center's Trump-friendly board of trustees voting to add his name to the building. LuPone's criticism highlights the growing tensions between the arts community and the Trump administration's efforts to reshape cultural institutions.

The details

Trump announced that the Kennedy Center will cease performances on July 4 and remain shuttered for two years for renovations. He said he hopes the building will serve as a 'new and beautiful Landmark for many generations to come.' LuPone called on the audience to sound off on social media and elsewhere about Trump's plans, saying 'art is the soul of the nation' and that 'we have to speak up again'.

  • On Sunday, Trump announced the Kennedy Center will cease performances on July 4 and remain shuttered for two years.
  • On Monday, Patti LuPone criticized Trump's plans at her concert in New York City.

The players

Patti LuPone

A Tony-winning Broadway icon who used her concert to call out President Trump over his plans for the Kennedy Center.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who announced plans to close and renovate the Kennedy Center, a move that has sparked backlash from the arts community.

Kennedy Center

The renowned arts venue in Washington, D.C. that has undergone a MAGA rebrand since Trump's return to office, including the addition of his name to the building.

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What they’re saying

“It's time for us, it's time for us — it's over time for us — to rise up, and speak! He cannot, cannot, cannot touch the Kennedy Center!”

— Patti LuPone (Deadline)

“I'm sorry, but I'm so mad. This, actually, strikes close to home because — art is the soul of the nation. And think about it, when was the last time you heard the words 'art' and 'culture' in a conversation in this country? And we have to speak up again. We just have to elevate it, and one of the ways we're going to elevate it is to keep the building standing. OK? That's it.”

— Patti LuPone (Deadline)

What’s next

The Kennedy Center's board of Trump-friendly trustees, chaired by the president himself, will decide in the coming weeks whether to proceed with the planned renovations and closure.

The takeaway

Patti LuPone's impassioned criticism of Trump's plans for the Kennedy Center highlights the growing tensions between the arts community and the administration's efforts to reshape cultural institutions. Her call to 'rise up and speak' reflects the broader concerns about the future of the arts and culture in the country under Trump's leadership.