Trump Announces Kennedy Center Closure Amidst Controversy
Washington, D.C. - President Donald Trump announced Sunday the closure of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for approximately two years, beginning July 4, 2026. Trump stated on Truth Social that the decision followed a yearlong review with contractors, musical experts, arts institutions, and advisors and was timed to coincide with the country's 250th anniversary. The closure will facilitate a "Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Renovation" project, according to Vox.
The announcement comes after a series of high-profile boycotts and cancellations by artists slated to perform at the venue, Vox reported. Last year, Trump upended the Center's leadership and appended his name to the space, further fueling controversy.
Constance Grady, a senior correspondent for Vox, noted that Trump has always been fascinated by theater, but the theater world has not reciprocated his affection.
Other Global Developments
In other news, Laura Fernández won the presidential election in Costa Rica, and Anutin Charnvirakul became Thailand's Prime Minister, according to multiple news sources. Senator Fetterman commented on a potential government shutdown and ICE funding. BBC journalists faced challenges in Russia, and controversies arose surrounding a pre-Trump inauguration deal and the Norwegian Crown Princess's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Pornhub faced UK access restrictions, and FIFA President Infantino apologized for a joke about British arrests at the World Cup.
The official mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are sibling stoats named Milo and Tina, NPR News reported. The Milano Cortina organizing committee described Tina as a cream-colored, city-loving creative, while Milo is a brown-coated mascot. They are being touted as the "first openly Gen Z mascots."
Meanwhile, American speedskater Jordan Stolz is being compared to Michael Phelps, with Time magazine suggesting he could elevate his sport's profile in the United States. Stolz noted that he experiences anonymity near his home in Wisconsin but is recognized and treated well by flight attendants in Europe, particularly on KLM flights. "I feel like every KLM flight I get on, all the flight attendants know me," Stolz said in a video interview with Time. "They treat me a little bit extra nice. That's always cool."
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