{"id":2563469,"date":"2026-02-03T08:59:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T13:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-says-kennedy-center-repairs-wont-include-ripping-it-down\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T09:02:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:02:32","slug":"trump-says-kennedy-center-repairs-wont-include-ripping-it-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-says-kennedy-center-repairs-wont-include-ripping-it-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump says Kennedy Center repairs won&#8217;t include &#8216;ripping it down&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-says-kennedy-center-repairs-wont-include-ripping-it-down%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2563469&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Donald Trump said the Kennedy Center\u2019s planned renovations,estimated at $200 million and fully financed,will not involve tearing the building down; instead,the existing steel and marble would be reused were possible. He announced the center will close for two years starting July 4 to carry out major upgrades, including updates to life-safety codes, parking, the building\u2019s structure, and systems such as heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and stage equipment, along with exterior repairs.<\/p>\n<p>The move follows Trump\u2019s previous takeover of the Kennedy Center,including board realignments and inserting his name on the building,which has drawn criticism from Democrats and some artists who have canceled performances. The center\u2019s closure and the name change have sparked controversy, including pushback from Kennedy family members. Supporters, like Richard Grenell, argue the renovation will modernize the center and allow faster, more extensive work, turning the venue into a \u201cWorld Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>the reported plan envisions a revitalized Kennedy Center that remains standing rather than demolished, but it has become a focal point for political debate over the institution\u2019s leadership and identity.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump says $200 million Kennedy Center &lsquo;maintenance&rsquo; won&rsquo;t mean &lsquo;ripping it down&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2492001\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> said on Monday his extensive, &ldquo;fully financed&rdquo; renovations to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kennedy-center\/\">Kennedy Center<\/a>, estimated to cost $200 million, will not include fully tearing down the venue.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not ripping it down. I&rsquo;ll be using the steel,&rdquo; he told reporters in the Oval Office. &ldquo;So, we&rsquo;re using the structure, we&rsquo;re using some of the marble, and some of the marble comes down. But when it&rsquo;s open, it&rsquo;ll be brand new and really beautiful.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4443635\/helping-east-palestine-signature-promise-trump-recovery-years\/\">Helping East Palestine was a signature promise for Trump. Recovery will take years<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4443476\/trump-huge-cash-haul-gop-chance-defy-history\/\">Trump&#8217;s huge cash haul gives GOP chance to defy history<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4443443\/trump-tries-quell-gop-rebellion-funding-deal-save-act-no-changes\/\">Trump tries to quell GOP rebellion against funding deal over SAVE Act: &#8216;NO CHANGES&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>On Sunday, Trump <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/115997939705121174\">announced<\/a><\/span>  that he will close the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/theyre-laughing-at-you-and-mocking-you-candace-owens-blasts-liberal-elites-over-covid-restrictions-mask-mandates\/\" title=\"\u2018They\u2019re Laughing At You And Mocking You\u2019: Candace Owens Blasts \u2018Liberal Elites\u2019 Over COVID Restrictions, Mask Mandates\">performing arts center<\/a> for two years, starting July 4, to allow time for major renovations. He described the building&rsquo;s current state as &ldquo;tired, broken, and dilapidated.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><em>NOTUS<\/em> acquired more details on the project from a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a> official, who said the &ldquo;building maintenance&rdquo; includes updating the building to &ldquo;current life-safety codes,&rdquo; improving parking, and strengthening the building&rsquo;s structure with work on heating and air conditioning services, plumbing and electrical systems, and technical stage equipment.<\/p>\n<p>Construction will also include repairing and replacing parts of the building&rsquo;s exterior to ensure it lasts for a long time, according to the White House official.<\/p>\n<p>After entering office last year, Trump quickly assumed control of the Kennedy Center by installing himself as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ga-officials-say-investigation-into-deadly-nitrogen-leak-at-poultry-plant-could-take-years\/\" title=\"Ga. officials say investigation into deadly nitrogen leak at poultry plant could take ...\">board chairman<\/a> and appointing allies to the governing body. The board then realigned the center&rsquo;s programming and later added Trump&rsquo;s name to the building.<\/p>\n<p>The official name, Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, drew pushback from Democratic lawmakers and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >left-leaning performers alike<\/a>. Since then, many artists have canceled their performances for political reasons.<\/p>\n<p>The Kennedy Center&rsquo;s closure has also been met with criticism, including from members of the Kennedy family.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Trump can take the Kennedy Center for himself. He can change the name, shut the doors, and demolish the building. He can try to kill JFK,&rdquo; Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-f-kennedy\/\">John F. Kennedy<\/a> and a 2026 Democratic candidate, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JBKSchlossberg\/status\/2018147548876128273?s=20\">posted on X<\/a>. &ldquo;But JFK is kept alive by us now rising up to remove Donald Trump, bring him to justice, and restore the freedoms generations fought for.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Health and Human Services Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> has not directly commented on the closure since it was announced, but renaming the center has not been one of his major concerns.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I have bigger fish to fry,&rdquo; Kennedy <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MAHA_Action\/status\/2016171006776205318\">said in an interview<\/a> last week, adding he&rsquo;s more focused on the nation&rsquo;s health. &ldquo;If I can save one child, it&rsquo;s more important than the name on any building.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Trump says his goal for the ambitious project is to transform the cultural institution in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\">Washington, D.C.<\/a>, into a &ldquo;World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment.&rdquo; Kennedy Center Board Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/richard-grenell\/\">Richard Grenell<\/a> shares that vision.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4442437\/kennedy-center-to-close-for-two-years-renovations\/\">KENNEDY CENTER TO CLOSE FOR TWO YEARS FOR RENOVATIONS, TRUMP SAYS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It desperately needs this renovation and temporarily closing the Center just makes sense &ndash; it will enable us to better invest our resources, think bigger and make the historic renovations more comprehensive. It also means we will be finished faster. President Trump has a reputation for delivering large construction projects on time, under budget and beautifully finished,&rdquo; Grenell <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RichardGrenell\/status\/2018141248079712680\">wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This will be a brief closure in retrospect,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;and I am confident this sets the stage for a stronger, revitalized National Cultural and Entertainment Complex.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump: $200M Kennedy Center overhaul won\u2019t demolish<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2563470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26030060528646.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[56518,5894,21465,15256,3634],"class_list":["post-2563469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-kennedycenter","tag-politics","tag-renovation","tag-repairs","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26030060528646.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2563469"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563469\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2563473,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563469\/revisions\/2563473"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2563470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2563469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2563469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2563469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}