Trump's Surprise Kennedy Center Closure Sparks Backlash

Performers and organizations cancel events as the iconic venue faces an abrupt two-year shutdown.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. is facing a sudden two-year closure that has caught many by surprise, including the venue's own leadership. The decision by former President Donald Trump to shutter the iconic arts center has led to a wave of event cancellations and postponements, with performers and organizations withdrawing from scheduled shows and programs.

Why it matters

The Kennedy Center is a vital cultural institution in the nation's capital, hosting a wide range of performing arts events and serving as a hub for the local arts community. Its unexpected closure raises concerns about the future of the arts in Washington and the impact on both performers and audiences.

The details

According to well-placed sources, Trump's decision to close the Kennedy Center for two years came as a complete surprise to nearly everyone involved, including the venue's leadership under Ric Grenell, who replaced former president Deborah Rutter after she was fired by Trump last year. The closure has already led to the cancellation of several high-profile events, including a show by singer-songwriter Ben Rector and the postponement of a world premiere program by the National Symphony Orchestra.

  • Trump announced the Kennedy Center closure in February 2026.
  • The Kennedy Center is set to close for two years starting in the spring of 2026.

The players

Ric Grenell

The current president of the Kennedy Center, appointed after the previous president, Deborah Rutter, was fired by former President Trump.

Deborah Rutter

The former president of the Kennedy Center, who was fired by former President Trump.

Ben Rector

A singer-songwriter who has cancelled his upcoming show at the Kennedy Center due to the venue's closure.

National Symphony Orchestra

The orchestra that was forced to postpone a world premiere program due to low ticket sales caused by the Kennedy Center's closure.

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What’s next

The Kennedy Center's leadership is expected to make further announcements about the closure and its impact on upcoming events and programming.

The takeaway

The sudden and unexpected closure of the Kennedy Center, a beloved cultural institution in the nation's capital, has sent shockwaves through the local arts community and raised concerns about the future of the performing arts in Washington, D.C.