Kennedy Center to close for 2 years for construction in July, Trump says

President Trump announced on Sunday his intention to close the Kennedy Center for two years, beginning in July, for construction. This move follows a series of significant changes at the performing arts venue since Trump's return to the White House. He stated the closure is to renovate a "tired, broken, and dilapidated Center" into a "World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment." However, neither Trump nor Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell have provided evidence to support claims of the building's disrepair. The announcement comes amid a wave of cancellations by prominent performers and arts organizations protesting the renaming of the center to include Trump's name. Groups like the Washington National Opera and composer Philip Glass have withdrawn their performances. The Kennedy Center, originally established as a national cultural center and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, has seen its leadership reshuffled with Trump's appointees. This decision is expected to face considerable opposition, mirroring past controversies surrounding Trump's efforts to assert his influence on Washington landmarks.