Thousands Join Protest Outside Kennedy Center, Expressing Concern that Trump Might Tear it Down

September 23, 2026

President Donald Trump's threats to close and potentially demolish the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts sparked a massive protest in Washington, D.C., with thousands forming a human chain around the iconic building. The controversy escalated after Trump illegally had his name added to the center, which a federal judge ordered removed, prompting the Trump-aligned board to vote to close the facility indefinitely for repairs.

Who is affected

Students and staff at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts who have lost performance opportunities and access to Kennedy Center resources
Kennedy Center volunteers and employees affected by the indefinite closure
Arts organizations and performers who have lost venue access
Washington D.C. residents and the broader performing arts community
Protesters and members of Hands Off the Arts organization
The Kennedy Center governing board (aligned with Trump)

What action is being taken

Thousands of protesters are gathering outside the Kennedy Center and forming human chains around the building
The Kennedy Center board is keeping the facility closed indefinitely for repairs
Federal court litigation is ongoing with filings and counter-filings
The administration is pushing forward with various vanity construction projects despite active litigation
Protesters are erasing Trump's name from chalkboards and replacing it with hearts
The Trump administration claims to be working to "save" the center

Why it matters

The Kennedy Center serves as the pinnacle of the nation's performing arts world and provides crucial educational opportunities for arts students, including partnerships with institutions like the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Beyond the building itself, protesters view this as fundamentally about preventing censorship of performances and programming, with the naming controversy serving as a catalyst for broader concerns about artistic freedom. The situation represents a potential precedent for executive overreach, as demonstrators fear Trump may demolish the iconic Potomac waterfront landmark without proper legal procedures, similar to what occurred with the East Wing.

What's next

Judge Cooper's order requires the Kennedy Center to provide 30 days' notice before making any major physical changes to the building, including demolition
Trump stated "we have a lot of people working very hard on it to save it" and suggested he could "save it easily"

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint