US president Donald Trump said he will transform the Kennedy Center into a venue with the 'highest level of success, beauty and grandeur'. Photograph: Eric Lee/The New York TimesUnited States president Donald Trump said he would shut the Kennedy Center, Washington’s top performing arts facility, for two years for a “complete” renovation, in his latest move to remake the US capital in his image. Trump also sought to rename the venue as the Trump Kennedy centre and has used it for high-profile events such as the Fifa World Cup draw in December and a top US-Saudi investment forum in November. But as Trump sought to take control of the US capital’s top entertainment and culture venue – which hosts orchestra, opera, musical and theatrical performances – it has suffered high-profile cancellations. Trump said the reconstruction of the Kennedy Center has already been financed in full, though he did not offer additional details on the funding of the project.

Source: The Irish Times February 02, 2026 15:39 UTC