U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend "Les Miserables" opening night at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
Donald Trump's abrupt announcement of an extended closure for the Kennedy Center might now result in a legal battle, according to KFOX 14 News, as the union for employees at the arts center has weighed in.
Over the weekend, Trump took to Truth Social to announce that the Kennedy Center would be shutting down for two years, starting on July 4, to coincide with the 250th birthday of the U.S. He claimed that this decision was made after a year-long review of the center that revealed it to be in need of extensive repairs, a claim that has already been heavily disputed.
“Financing is completed, and fully in place!” Trump's post read. “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.”
Despite his claims about the reasoning for the shutdown, the decision was swiftly derided as an effort to save face after his attempt to take over the Kennedy Center sparked a wave of artist cancellations. After installing a new board of loyalists early on in his second term, Trump attempted to add his own name to the center's facade, a move that is not legally binding without congressional approval. He has also pledged to reshape the center's programming to better align with his own political agenda.
On Tuesday, Kennedy Center Arts Workers United, the union that represents over 1,500 staffers who work at the Kennedy Center, issued a statement slamming Trump's abrupt announcement and pledging to take legal action if the closure "displaces our members."
"A pause in Kennedy Center operations without due regard for those who work there would be harmful for the arts and creative workers in America," the statement read. "Should we receive formal notice of a temporary suspension of Kennedy Center operations that displaces our members, we will enforce our contracts and exercise all our rights under the law. We expect continued fair pay, enforceable worker protections, and accountability for our members in the event they cannot work due to an operational pause. Our members remain steadfast in bringing to life theatrical, music, opera, dance, and other live artistic performances in the nation’s capital that speak to and resonate with all Americans."
As KFOX 14 noted in its report, the closure of the Kennedy Center will require authorization from its Board of Trustees. Trump previously replaced most of the board with loyalists who have largely gone along with his agenda, including the proposal to add his name to the building.