Kennedy Center staffers are facing an uncertain future as President Trump’s overhaul of the iconic performing arts center progresses, with a recent internal memo signaling potential widespread job cuts. The communication, delivered by Ric Grenell, Trump’s appointed head of the Kennedy Center, has left employees bracing for significant disruption.
According to an email obtained by The Washington Post, Grenell informed the Kennedy Center’s 2,000 employees that departments would be “function[ing] on a much smaller scale” during the planned two-year closure for “total renovation.” The memo explicitly stated that some units would be “totally reduced or on hold” until preparations for reopening in 2028 begin, leading staff to interpret the message as a prelude to mass layoffs.
“There is no way to read this message as anything other than preparation for mass layoffs and institutional contraction,” one anonymous staff member told The Post. The sentiment reflects a growing anxiety among Kennedy Center personnel, who feel the current situation is a result of “leadership failure” that has negatively impacted ticket sales, donor confidence and artistic participation. “The language of ‘renovation’ masks a leadership failure,” the staffer added.
The impending closure and renovation follow a series of controversial changes initiated by President Trump last February. He dismissed the Kennedy Center’s existing board of trustees, replacing them with White House appointees and installing himself as chairman. Shortly after, Deborah Rutter, the center’s president of over a decade, was also removed from her position. These actions sparked immediate concern within the arts community, with many questioning the president’s motives and qualifications to lead such a prestigious institution.
The situation has been further complicated by a decline in ticket sales and a wave of artist cancellations following Trump’s takeover. As The Daily Beast reported, Trump announced the closure following these difficulties, framing it as an opportunity for a “MAGA makeover.”
While the White House maintains a positive outlook, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling The Wall Street Journal that the president’s “deep involvement” is “wonderful,” the reality on the ground is far more unsettling for Kennedy Center staff. The planned renovation, estimated by Trump to cost around $200 million, is actually projected to exceed $300 million according to the Journal’s analysis.
The financial situation at the Kennedy Center is also precarious. Officials acknowledge inheriting $100 million in debt, a burden exacerbated by the recent changes and the resulting decline in revenue. Despite these challenges, the White House insists that the Trump-led changes have improved the center’s financial security.
Adding to the sense of instability, staff members have expressed concerns about a lack of transparency and communication from leadership. As reported by CBS News, employees are now actively pursuing unionization in an effort to secure their jobs and improve communication with management. “We’re trying to carry out the work the best One can. But anxiety and fear exist with so many departments experiencing layoffs,” one education staff member told CBS News, speaking on condition of anonymity. “And they happen quickly, with very little notice.”
The move to rename the Kennedy Center, reportedly the idea of Trump confidant Sergio Gor, also drew criticism, according to The Wall Street Journal. While the board ultimately voted unanimously in favor of the change, some trustees privately expressed frustration with the decision.
The situation at the Kennedy Center reflects a broader trend of political interference in cultural institutions under the Trump administration. The closure and planned renovation, while presented as a revitalization effort, are viewed by many as a dismantling of a beloved American landmark and a threat to the livelihoods of those who dedicate their careers to the performing arts. The coming months will be critical as the Kennedy Center navigates this period of uncertainty and prepares for a future under new leadership and a dramatically altered landscape.
As the Kennedy Center braces for a two-year closure beginning in July, the future remains unclear for its dedicated staff. The vague assurances of “clarity and advance notice” from Grenell offer little comfort as employees prepare for potential job losses and a significant shift in the institution’s identity.
