Ousted Kennedy Center Chairman Buys Dismantled ‘Blue’ Sculpture
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-09-07 14:28:00 — www.nytimes.com
Donald Trump Pushes for Kennedy Center Closure and Seeks His Name on Landmark
Donald Trump, after replacing David Rubenstein as chairman of the Kennedy Center board and installing loyalists, has been actively pushing for the closure of the Kennedy Center for a two-year, $250 million renovation project. Trump and his allies have argued that these renovations are desperately needed.
The board’s decision to close the center, as well as its move to add Trump’s name to the institution’s official title, was temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Despite this setback, officials at the center are continuing their efforts to persuade the judge to allow the closure and to permit the president’s name to be inscribed on the building’s marble facade, citing Trump’s role in securing congressional funding for the renovations.
This push for closure and rebranding has come amid controversy, including the abrupt removal of the prominent abstract sculpture “Blue” from the Kennedy Center grounds, which drew objections from local patrons and the artist’s family. The board has proposed keeping the Reach addition open during renovations, in part to maintain an active memorial to President John F. Kennedy, as required by law.
Trump’s aggressive pursuit of the renovation project and the addition of his name to the Kennedy Center have sparked debate over the future of the institution and the preservation of its legacy. As legal battles continue, the fate of the Kennedy Center—and its identity—remains uncertain.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/07/arts/design/blue-sculpture-kennedy-center-rubenstein.html