Thousands rally in Washington against Kennedy Center closure

Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets around the Kennedy Center in Washington's Foggy Bottom neighborhood on Friday evening, halting traffic as they joined the "Hands Around the Kennedy Center" protest. The marble building remained wrapped in scaffolding and tarpaulins as crowds carried signs and, at times, booed mentions of the president.

Chris Raleigh, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, which organized the event, said he hoped the gathering would demonstrate public willingness to resist the administration's plans for the venue.

Escalating dispute

The Kennedy Center, a landmark on the Potomac River waterfront, has been central to Trump's reshaping of Washington institutions since 2025, when he began appointing allies to its governing board. Late last year his name was added to the center, but a federal judge ruled the move illegal and ordered it removed.

On Tuesday, the Trump-aligned board voted to close the center indefinitely for repairs, just hours after US District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked an attempt to restore Trump's name to the building. On Thursday, the judge ordered that the center must give 30 days' notice before any major physical alterations, including demolition.

The protest followed widespread attention to a photograph showing Trump aboard Air Force One examining a printout depicting the Kennedy Center apparently being demolished, with visible red text reading "Kennedy Center DEMOLIS..." before the word was cut off by the window frame.

Raleigh said he and others fear Trump could demolish the building without prior notice, citing the unannounced demolition of the White House East Wing as a precedent for concern.

Demonstrators included people in inflatable animal costumes and a man wearing a golden Trump mask, alongside numerous signs opposing the administration's plans. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he wanted to save the center, describing it as losing money, but did not directly address questions about demolishing it.