The Latest Breaking News from the Kennedy Center

President thanks Grenell for ‘outstanding work’ and says Matt Floca, vice-president of operations, will take over

Richard Grenell, the longtime Republican foreign policy adviser who instituted far reaching changes at the Kennedy Center that prompted many artists to abandon the iconic performing arts venue, will step down as the institution’s president

If you’re confused about how closing a national arts institution for two years qualifies as “success,” you’re not alone. But Donald Trump says it’s the fastest path forward for the Kennedy Center. Too bad we all know the real reason.

It's going to be reduced to rubble.

Trump announces two-year closure of Kennedy Center, citing construction needs – key US politics stories from 1 February 2026

President Donald Trump says he will move to close Washington’s Kennedy Center performing arts venue for two years starting in July for construction

From private to very public, Melania Trump's documentary about the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump's return to the White House has premiered at the Kennedy Center. It will be screened at more than 1,500 cinemas around the world ahead of its global release on Amazon Prime.

Kevin Couch’s abrupt resignation as senior vice president of artistic programming at the Kennedy Center comes amid recent turmoil and artist cancellations, following a leadership overhaul initiated by Donald Trump.

It was not immediately clear why the newly appointed head of artistic programming resigned so quickly