Trump to Close Kennedy Center for Renovations Amid Backlash

US President Announces Plans to Close John F Kennedy Memorial Center for Renovations

United States President Donald Trump has announced that the John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts will be closed for two years starting in July for renovations. The closure, which is expected to begin on July 4, coincides with the 250th Independence Day celebration.

According to a post on Trump’s Truth Social platform, the temporary closure will allow for a faster and higher quality result in the renovation process. Trump stated that the facility’s various entertainment events would impede and slow down construction operations, making a full temporary closure necessary.

The decision is subject to approval from the board, which Trump handpicked upon taking over as chairman. The complex, which was originally established as a national cultural center, has undergone several changes since its opening in 1971.

In recent days, several performers and groups have withdrawn their performances at the Kennedy Center due to disagreements with Trump’s policies. These include producers of the award-winning musical Hamilton and international operatic soprano Renee Fleming.

The extent of the renovations is unclear, but Trump has described the structure as dilapidated and needing a facelift. The closure follows a series of measures by Trump to reshape US historical and cultural institutions, including demolishing the East Wing of the White House and launching a massive $400m ballroom project.

A statement from Maria Kennedy Shriver, a niece of former President John F Kennedy, criticized the decision without naming Trump, suggesting that the closure and renovation were made to distract Americans. The Kennedy Center has not issued an immediate comment on the announcement.

Source: Al Jazeera