Since September 8, 1971 — for more than half a century — the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has been the grande dame of theater venues in the nation’s capital. Built on the banks of the Potomac River as a memorial to the slain president who, together with his wife Jacqueline, brought a new level of elegance and culture to Washington in the 1960s, it has featured every conceivable form of entertainment, from opera to rock, classical ballet to funk, Shakespeare to children’s programming.

That is, until Donald Trump set his sights on that venerable institution, decided it was too “inclusive” and “woke,” and seized control. He fired the Board of Directors and replaced them with his sycophants; he began filling the halls with his personal friends, booking acts that met with his personal approval; and, as a final insult, he rebranded the Center itself, adding his own name above that of the man to whom it was dedicated . . . in blatant contravention of Public Law 88-260 (Senate Joint Resolution 136).

But then the people spoke. Orchestras, dance companies, and individual performers began withdrawing their scheduled appearances. Long-time subscribers cancelled their subscriptions in protest. Seats were left only half-filled.

And today, he announced that the Kennedy Center will close for two years beginning — ironically — on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the founding of this nation, for “renovations.”

His excuse? According to his social media post, we are supposed to accept this as gospel:

“The Trump Kennedy Center will close on July 4th, 2026, in honor of the 250th Anniversary of our Country, whereupon we will simultaneously begin Construction of the new and spectacular Entertainment Complex. Financing is completed, and fully in place! This important decision, based on input from many Highly Respected Experts, will take a tired, broken, and dilapidated Center, one that has been in bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years, and turn it into a World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment, far better than it has ever been before. America will be very proud of its new and beautiful Landmark for many generations to come. Thak you for your attention to this matter!” [Ted Johnson, Deadline.com, February 1, 2026.]

“In honor of” the 4th of July? Or because the planned performances have also been cancelled?

Trump claims that closing completely will allow for a faster and higher-quality renovation. Perhaps. But in the meantime, where will the National Symphony Orchestra go? What will Washington do for first-class entertainment? The other local venues — the excellent but much smaller National Theater and a handful of others — cannot possibly take up the slack, though they will no doubt do their best.

And the Kennedy Center will be without a source of income for two years. The $257 million already allotted for the renovations in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act — given his penchant for glitz and glitter — will no doubt prove insufficient . . . just as the projected cost of his White House golden ballroom has already doubled, while still only an enormous hole in the ground.

In short, we can chalk up another dismal failure to the growing list of Donald Trump’s failed projects. But don’t despair. When last reported, his plans for an “Arc de Trump” at the Virginia end of the Memorial Bridge were still very much alive.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
2/1/26