Staff Shocked by Manager’s Plan to Shut Down the Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center, a landmark in Washington, has been hit by a sudden announcement from its new chief. The manager, who was appointed by former President Trump, sent an email to 2, 000 employees saying the building will close for two years. He said this is part of a “renovation” that would reduce many departments or pause them entirely until the venue reopens in 2028. The message also hinted that jobs might be cut, which has caused anger among staff. Many workers say the manager’s words show a lack of clear strategy. They point out that ticket sales have fallen and many artists no longer want to perform there. These problems began after Trump took control of the center’s board and appointed himself chairman in February. The decision to shut down for a long period was unexpected even by the manager.Employees are upset because they feel the so‑called renovation is actually a way to dismantle the center. One staff member said, “This feels stupid and cruel. ” Another added that the announcement offers no real plan, only a sweeping closure framed as progress. The manager promised to give more information later and said the changes would affect most people, either permanently or temporarily. The center was already burdened with $100 million in debt. Trump’s involvement has reportedly made the financial situation a bit more secure, but critics argue that the $200 million cost estimate is too low. An analysis by a major newspaper suggests the true price could be $300 million. The name change to “Trump Kennedy Center” was also controversial. A close associate of Trump, who sits on the board, suggested adding the former president’s name in a meeting where no one objected at first. Later, all trustees agreed to the change, but many inside the organization felt uneasy about it.