AssetID: 55433145
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Trump Plans Two-Year Shutdown of Kennedy Center for Major Overhaul
Caption: Trump Plans Two-Year Shutdown of Kennedy Center for Major Overhaul. President Donald Trump says he plans to shut down the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for two years, starting this July, to carry out a major reconstruction project. The proposed closure would begin on July 4, symbolically timed with the 250th anniversary of American independence. Trump, who appointed himself chairman of the center, said halting all performances is the fastest way to transform what he now calls the "Trump Kennedy Center" into a venue of greater beauty and prestige. He claims financing for the project is already secured, though the plan still requires board approval. The announcement comes after months of controversy, including the renaming of the institution and a wave of artists pulling out in protest. Major productions and long-time resident companies have already walked away. If approved, the shutdown would pause thousands of annual performances—marking a dramatic turning point for one of America's most important cultural landmarks. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Donald Trump,Kennedy Center,two-year shutdown,major overhaul,July 2026,American independence anniversary,Trump Kennedy Center,performing arts,cultural landmark,board approval,artist protests,US culture,political controversy
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