US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would move to close the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington for two years starting in July for construction work.
Trump’s social media announcement follows a wave of cancellations since Trump ousted previous leadership and added his name to the building. Trump did not mention the recent cancellations in his post.
Trump announced his plan days after “Melania,” a documentary about the first lady, premiered at the famous venue. He said the proposal was subject to approval by the Kennedy Center’s board of directors, which was staffed with his hand-picked allies. Trump himself chairs the center’s board of trustees.
“This important decision, based on input from many respected experts, will transform the tired, broken, and dilapidated Center, which has been in disrepair, both financially and structurally, for many years, into a world-class bastion of the arts, music, and entertainment,” Trump wrote in his post.
Leading performing arts groups have withdrawn from appearances, most recently composer Philip Glass, who announced his decision to withdraw his Symphony No. 15, “Lincoln,” because he said the center’s values today “are in direct conflict” with the message of the piece.
Earlier this month, the National Opera in Washington announced it would move its performances away from the Kennedy Center in another high-profile move following Trump’s takeover of the leading performing arts venue in the US capital.
A Kennedy Center spokesperson did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
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