The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., will stay closed through September 30, 2026, after executive director Matt Floca cited serious safety hazards inside the historic venue. In a court filing on Wednesday, Floca warned that aging plaster, deteriorating roof undersides and outdated electrical systems could endanger patrons trying to exit during an emergency.
Judge’s order and Trump‑appointed board
U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper had previously ordered the Center’s leadership to submit a detailed report on the “temporary closure,” demanding a plan for emergency repairs. Cooper’s directive came after the Center’s board, appointed by President Trump, voted to shut the building for a two‑year renovation program.
Floca wrote, “Because the collection of information is ongoing and I remain concerned about the documented hazards and inability to provide safe egress at this time… I will be extending the temporary closure for an additional week, until September 30, 2026.” He added that the situation will be reassessed on a weekly basis.
Distinction between temporary shutdown and long‑term plan
Attorneys for the Justice Department emphasized that the week‑long shutdown is separate from the board’s broader, two‑year renovation agenda. The interim measures do not address the underlying deterioration nor set the scope or duration of the longer‑term capital program.
Critics blame President Trump
Norm Eisen, attorney for the Democracy Defenders Fund and co‑counsel for Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D‑OH), accused President Trump of using the closure to conceal mismanagement of the national treasure. “Donald Trump is now closing the center because he wants to hide the fact that he has run this national treasure into the ground,” Eisen said. He also claimed the Center had been “illegally renamed” to include Trump’s name and called the latest filing “more of the same excuses for Trump’s own failed mismanagement.”
Eisen added, “Donald Trump cannot slap his name on the building. And we won’t stop until the Kennedy Center is fully protected.” A response from Beatty’s federal lawsuit is pending.
Administration’s stance
The Trump administration, through its Justice Department representatives, has reiterated that the temporary shutdown is a safety precaution, not a political maneuver. Officials stressed that the board’s renovation plan, approved by President Trump, aims to preserve the Center’s cultural legacy for future generations while ensuring compliance with modern safety standards.
What’s next?
Floca will continue weekly evaluations of the building’s condition and will report any changes to Judge Cooper. The Center’s board is expected to submit a comprehensive renovation schedule within the 30‑day notice period mandated by the court.
Washington residents who rely on the Kennedy Center for performances and community events will need to await further updates as the safety assessments progress.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
