A few days back, Donald Trump announced that he’s shutting down the Kennedy Center for two years for renovations, which has shocked a few GOP senators. Recently, two of the senators gave their stance on the closure, revealing that it wasn’t decided earlier and was unexpected. One of the Republicans, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, earlier cast a vote in favor of the Big Beautiful Bill, which allowed it to pass. She is now reportedly demanding answers regarding the center’s temporary shutdown as well.
GOP Senators react to Donald Trump’s decision
According to HuffPost, Maine Sen. Susan Collins revealed that she was aware that renovations would happen, but the shutdown of the Kennedy Center came as a surprise. She said, “That came as the big surprise to me, because it was my understanding the renovations are already underway and going well, so I don’t think that was anticipated when we provided the money.”
In addition, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski also reacted to the Kennedy Center closure news. She said, “At no point in time was it ever suggested that the entire Kennedy Center would be shut down for renovation.” The Punchbowl outlet reports that Murkowski, who had a key contribution in approving the Big Beautiful Bill, is now pushing for answers as to why the center is closing down.
On February 2, Trump also took to Truth Social to announce that the Kennedy Center is closing down for “construction, revitalization, and complete rebuilding” for two years, starting July 4 on the 250th anniversary of America.
He wrote, “Based on these findings, and totally subject to Board approval, I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before.”
