00:00President Trump says the Kennedy Center will close for the next two years for a full renovation
00:08and rebuilding. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said temporarily shutting down the venue
00:13would allow what he calls a complete revitalization, claiming the project would turn it into, quote,
00:19the finest performing arts facility of its kind. Trump says the Kennedy Center will close on
00:25July 4th, tying the move to the nation's upcoming 250th birthday and remain shuttered for roughly
00:31two years, followed by what he promised would be a grand reopening. He also says the financing for
00:37the project is already secured, though no cost estimate was provided. The announcement follows
00:42a series of dramatic changes at the Kennedy Center under Trump's leadership. Last February, he removed
00:49members of the Board of Trustees, replaced them with allies, and installed himself as chairman.
00:53Months later, the board voted to rename the venue the Trump Kennedy Center, a move that sparked
01:00backlash in the arts community, with several performers canceling scheduled appearances.
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