Trump's Kennedy Center Overhaul: A Two-Year Shutdown

0:00On March 16, President Donald Trump urged the board of the Kennedy Center for the performing arts to approve a two-year shutdown for a full renovation. He called at the quickest path to restore the venue to talk condition better than when it opened in 1971. Speaking at a White House meeting, he highlighted ongoing fixes to air conditioning, seating, and marble work. The board was set to vote on the Plan Monday, which Trump first proposed back in February. The closure would start around July 4th and last about two years. This comes amid a growing legal challenge to the idea, as Trump pushes for a grand reopening afterward. Some artists and Kennedy family members have pushed back hard against the changes. The center has seen event cancellations and lower attendance since Trump took a more hands-on role. He noted the place was struggling when he stepped in during his second term. Trump has overhauled leadership there more than any recent president, replacing board members with allies and even cheering it himself.

1:01He secured $257 million from Congress last summer for upgrades. Recently, the president stepped down and Trump picked a vice president of facilities as the next leader, pending approval. With these moves, Trump aims to turn the Kennedy Center into the world's best performing art spot, focusing on his building expertise to fix what he sees as long-standing issues.