Trump Moves to Temporarily Close Kennedy Center for Renovations

The president plans to convene the center's board of trustees to vote on the closure, drawing opposition from some members.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:33am

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President Trump is set to convene the board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday to vote on plans to close the institution for renovations starting on July 6, according to an internal meeting agenda obtained by The New York Times. The planned vote was listed on an agenda circulated to the center's board of trustees on Sunday, less than a day before the meeting. The closure and other potential changes, including adding Trump's name to the building, have drawn opposition from some members of Congress who sit on the board.

Why it matters

The Kennedy Center is a federally-funded cultural institution and memorial to former President John F. Kennedy. Its potential closure for renovations, along with other proposed changes, have raised concerns about the president's influence over the center and whether the process is being rushed without proper review.

The details

The agenda for Monday's meeting indicates that the president intends to move quickly to clear what he announced in February would be a two-year closure to transform the center. A federal judge recently ordered the board to share details about the meeting with Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democratic member of the board, after she sued over her right to participate. The judge required the board to share budgets and other documents, but stopped short of ordering that Beatty be allowed to cast a vote on any proposals.

  • The agenda for the meeting was shared with the trustees late on Sunday evening.
  • The meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026.

The players

President Trump

The current president of the United States who is seeking to convene the Kennedy Center's board of trustees and push through plans to temporarily close the institution for renovations.

Representative Joyce Beatty

A Democratic member of Congress from Ohio who sits on the Kennedy Center's board of trustees as an ex officio member. She sued to gain access to details about the upcoming meeting and voice her opposition to the proposed closure and other changes.

Judge Christopher R. Cooper

The federal district court judge who ruled that the Kennedy Center board must share details about the upcoming meeting with Representative Beatty, but stopped short of ordering that she be allowed to cast a vote.

Richard Grenell

The former president of the Kennedy Center who is set to make remarks at the upcoming board meeting.

Washington National Opera

An organization that appears to be separating from the Kennedy Center according to the meeting agenda.

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What they’re saying

“These inadequate documents prove that there is absolutely no basis to shutter this precious living memorial and beloved institution. It certainly looks like President Trump is shutting down the center because he is embarrassed that ticket sales are down and artists are fleeing since his illegal renaming.”

— Representative Joyce Beatty (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge postponed a decision on whether to allow Representative Beatty to challenge the closure, the addition of Trump's name to the building, and other major changes until after Monday's board meeting.

The takeaway

The potential closure of the Kennedy Center, a federally-funded cultural institution, and other proposed changes have raised concerns about the president's influence over the center and whether the process is being rushed without proper review and input from all stakeholders.