Entertainment & Celebrity News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! - Trump's Kennedy Center: Two-Year Closure, New CEO
Episode Date: March 16, 2026Trump-led Kennedy Center Board Votes for Two-year Closure, Appoints New CEO; Artists and Staff Resign in Protest Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. ... Advertise on DNN:advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/94cdbd467a0e082e
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Reporting from The Daily News, now I'm Corey with the latest entertainment headlines.
The Kennedy Center's board voted on Monday to close the venue for two years right after this summer's July 4th events.
They also picked Matt Floca as the new chief executive officer and executive director,
stepping in after Richard Grinnell left the post.
Trump hosted the board meeting at the White House and pushed for the shutdown to handle major repairs.
He has shaped the center heavily during his second term, replacing leaders with his office.
own picks and even renaming it the Trump Kennedy Center, though. That move needs Congress to approve it.
Artists hit back hard against the changes, with big names like Issa Ray, Bella Fleck, and Louise
Penny pulling out of shows. Resignations piled up, too, including the National Symphony Orchestra's
Executive Director and others like Ben Folds and Renee Fleming. Trump called the building dilapidated
back in February and praised Grinnell as a close friend while wishing Floca good luck. The board-shifted
programming to more Trump-friendly events, like premiering Melania Trump's documentary.
Meanwhile, a federal judge let Ohio representative Joyce Beatty attend the meeting as an ex-o
official member, but she did not get a vote.
Floka brings a background in facilities management from District of Columbia roles and join
the center in January 2024.
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