US Kennedy Center faces bankruptcy, Washington Post reports | Donald Trump News
Kennedy Center Faces Imminent Closure Amid Financial Crisis
Published September 14, 2026
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., is at risk of bankruptcy and may close as early as Tuesday, according to a report from The Washington Post.
The institution’s board of trustees, chaired by President Donald Trump, is recommending the immediate closure of the main building due to escalating costs. The board contends that acknowledging Trump’s involvement could be crucial to avoiding “certain fiscal collapse.”
A 57-page report prepared for a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday highlights the center’s financial and physical challenges. Board members indicated that the institution may soon be unable to pay employees or cover maintenance expenses.
The report notes that the board is deliberating both the ongoing financial crisis and the urgent need for renovations at the facility. The trustees have also suggested that closing the main building might be a necessary step.
The report suggests that Trump might be willing to assist the Kennedy Center if his name is prominently featured, which The Post describes as a significant shift in Trump’s approach since assuming chairmanship last year. The center has faced ongoing financial difficulties, leadership changes, and litigation during this time.
Established in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy, who advocated for civil rights before his assassination in 1963, the Kennedy Center has seen a decline in ticket sales, with many artists canceling concerts in response to Trump’s leadership. Reports indicate ticket sales have reached their lowest levels since the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the current fiscal year, the Kennedy Center is expected to generate approximately $124 million of the $220 million projected in revenue, leading to a $23 million deficit despite considerable budget cuts. A center spokesperson attributed some of these financial issues to “mismanagement by previous leadership” and noted that Trump’s involvement has attracted new donors.
