President Donald Trump announced Grenell's departure on Truth Social on Friday. According to multiple reports, Matt Floca, who manages the Kennedy Center's facilities operations, will take over as president. Trump said Grenell had done an excellent job coordinating various elements of the center.
The Kennedy Center board of trustees unanimously voted to temporarily close the institution for a two-year renovation, beginning after the Independence Day celebration in July. Trump said the fastest way to renovate is to cease entertainment operations for two years. The project is funded with $257 million from Congress. Trump called the Kennedy Center "tired, broken, and dilapidated," and Floca led journalists through the building highlighting water damage and outdated equipment. A grand reopening is planned after construction.
Ric Grenell has done an excellent job in helping to coordinate various elements of the Center during the transition period, and I want to thank him for the outstanding work he has done.
Controversy has surrounded fundraising tactics under Grenell's leadership. According to Josef Palermo, Grenell warned donors that the Israeli lounge—paid for by the Israeli government in 1971—would be reassigned unless they provided renovation funds. Palermo, who was fired in late March 2025, said the pitch was made during an event commemorating the October 7 Hamas attacks, which he described as inappropriate. Grenell did not respond to requests for comment from The Atlantic.
The Kennedy Center has been rebranded as the Trump Kennedy Center, with Trump's name physically added to the building's facade. The Circles Lounge was renamed the SyberJet Lounge after an aircraft company whose CEO was pardoned by Trump. Trump said the center will be "the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the World!"
THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER will be, at its completion, the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the World!
The takeover has led to fallout in the arts community. Prominent musicals like 'Hamilton' canceled performances at the Kennedy Center after Trump's takeover. Actor Issa Rae and author Louise Penny withdrew from appearances, and musicians Ben Folds and Renée Fleming resigned as consultants. The executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, Jean Davidson, left to head the Wallis Annenberg Center.
Trump has used the Kennedy Center for political and personal events. He convinced FIFA President Gianni Infantino to hold the World Cup draw at the center in December, hosted the Kennedy Center Honors himself, addressed House Republicans there, and premiered the documentary of first lady Melania Trump at the venue.
You have to close it.
I think everybody agrees, but subject to board approval, we determined that the fastest way to bring the Trump-Kennedy Center to the highest level of beauty and grandeur is to cease the entertainment operations for a two-year period of time as we complete really high quality construction. The best way to do it is close it – do it properly, and reopen and have a grand reopening. When it’s finished, it’s going to be far better than it was when it was originally built.