Broadway Star Patti LuPone Denounces Trump's Kennedy Center Closure Strategy
Acclaimed actor and Tony Award winner Patti LuPone launched a fiery critique of President Donald Trump on Monday, targeting his administration's controversial plan to shutter the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The vocal condemnation came during her concert performance at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City, where she addressed the audience directly about the impending closure.
Trump's Renovation Announcement Sparks Immediate Backlash
On Sunday, President Trump revealed that the Kennedy Center would cease all performances starting July 4, remaining closed for an extensive two-year renovation period. He framed the decision as necessary to transform what he described as a "tired, broken and dilapidated" Washington, D.C. building into a "new and beautiful Landmark for many generations to come."
However, this justification failed to appease many in the arts community, including LuPone, who captured the moment in a video later obtained by Deadline. The veteran performer did not mince words, labeling the president a "buffoon" and passionately defending the cultural institution.
LuPone's Emotional Plea for Cultural Preservation
"It's time for us, it's time for us — it's over time for us — to rise up, and speak!" LuPone declared from the Carnegie Hall stage. "He cannot, cannot, cannot touch the Kennedy Center!"
The long-time Trump critic connected the venue's fate to broader national values, stating emphatically: "I'm sorry, but I'm so mad. This, actually, strikes close to home because — art is the soul of the nation. And think about it, when was the last time you heard the words 'art' and 'culture' in a conversation in this country?"
LuPone urged immediate action, encouraging the audience and the public to voice their opposition through social media and other channels. "We have to speak up again. We just have to elevate it, and one of the ways we're going to elevate it is to keep the building standing. OK? That's it," she concluded.
Broader Context of Kennedy Center Controversies
The current closure plan represents just the latest chapter in the Kennedy Center's turbulent relationship with the Trump administration. Since Trump's return to office, the venue has undergone what critics describe as a MAGA rebranding effort.
In December, the center's board of trustees — chaired by President Trump himself and populated with Trump-friendly members — voted to add the president's name to the building. This decision triggered a significant backlash, including:
- A storm of performance cancellations by artists
- A dramatic decline in ticket sales
- Questions from family members of John F. Kennedy, for whom the "living memorial" was originally named
The proposed reconstruction has particularly concerned Kennedy family members, who view the venue as a tribute to the late president's legacy. As renovations loom, the cultural community remains divided between those who see necessary updates and those who perceive political maneuvering threatening artistic integrity.
