Kennedy Center to Close for Two Years Amid Government Shutdown and AI Concerns
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., is set to close for approximately two years, beginning July 4, for extensive construction and revitalization, President Trump announced on Sunday. The project, estimated to cost around $200 million, will involve a complete rebuilding of the center, though the president clarified that the existing steel structure and some marble will be reused, according to CBS News.
The announcement comes amid a partial government shutdown, now in its third day, sparked by an impasse over immigration enforcement funding, ABC News reported. Thousands of Federal Aviation Administration workers have been furloughed, and nearly 14,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay. GOP hard-liners are threatening to derail a potential vote to reopen the government, exacerbating the situation.
The shutdown and the Kennedy Center closure coincide with growing national debate over immigration policy and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. The 2026 Grammy Awards saw several artists, including Bad Bunny and Olivia Dean, using their platform to voice support for immigrants, ABC News noted. Dean, upon receiving the best new artist award, acknowledged her family's immigrant history, stating, "I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant."
Meanwhile, a recent Fox News poll revealed that 6 in 10 registered voters believe the use of artificial intelligence is moving too quickly in the United States, with little confidence in the federal government's ability to regulate it effectively. The poll indicated that only 3 in 10 voters feel the pace of AI development is appropriate.
In other news, Hollywood director Brett Ratner addressed speculation surrounding a photo of him with Jeffrey Epstein, recently released in a Department of Justice file dump. Ratner told Fox News Digital that the photo was taken at an event approximately 20 years ago, where he was present with his then-fiancée. "About 20 years ago, I had a girlfriend... We went to an event, and we were sitting on the couch, and the photo was taken at that event," Ratner explained.
The Kennedy Center's closure will likely impact the performing arts scene in Washington, D.C., for the duration of the construction. The full scope of the revitalization project and its long-term effects remain to be seen.
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