President Donald Trump’s surprise Sunday announcement that he planned to close the Kennedy Center for two years sent shock waves through the center, Washington and the broader arts world. The Kennedy Center had already booked a slate of performances after July 4, including shows of touring productions “The Outsiders,” “Back to the Future: The Musical” and “Mrs. Will the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize continue? (Senate Democrats are investigating the Kennedy Center, accusing Grenell of “self-dealing, favoritism, and waste,” which he has denied.) “I resigned without knowledge of any plans to close the Kennedy Center and hope the institution uses this moment to refocus on its mission and support of artists,” Couch said.

Source: Washington Post February 03, 2026 17:50 UTC