Symphony Rehearsals Continue in 'Dangerous' Kennedy Center Amid Closure Dispute

Key points

• President Trump recently described the Kennedy Center as a 'great danger to anyone who walks inside,' citing a 'virtual state of collapse' and a recent incident where a security guard narrowly avoided death from falling plaster.
• The National Symphony Orchestra, comprising over 100 members, continues to arrive at the Kennedy Center almost every weekday morning for rehearsals, entering via a parking lot door.
• The orchestra is currently rehearsing in the main concert hall for upcoming performances in Maryland and Virginia, including works by Prokofiev, Haydn, and Stravinsky.
• An internal email from executive director Matt Floca confirms the building will 'remain temporarily closed' pending an 'emergency egress assessment' of overhanging soffits, with no reopening date set.
• Floca stated that access to main corridors requires express authorization and hard hats, noting that the safety assessment is separate from the broader renovation schedule.
• Musicians interviewed by The New York Times declined to be named, citing fears of retaliation, with some expressing hope that colleagues would focus on music rather than politics.

Background

The Kennedy Center has been the site of a prolonged dispute since March 2026, when the board voted to close the venue for renovations. A federal judge, Christopher Cooper, blocked the planned two-year closure in May, ruling that the board had not adequately considered the impact on finances and programming. The closure was further complicated by a legal battle over adding Trump’s name to the building, which the court ruled required Congressional approval. In September, Trump was photographed with a poster reading 'Kennedy Center DEMOLISHED,' sparking speculation about the building's fate. The National Symphony Orchestra had previously launched a displaced season at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland, before returning to the Kennedy Center for rehearsals.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times highlights the contradiction between Trump’s public warnings about the building's danger and the continued presence of orchestra members, noting that no musicians have encountered the severe hazards described by management. ABC News focuses on the administrative and legal aspects, detailing the internal email from Matt Floca that confirms the temporary closure and the ongoing safety assessment, while noting that Trump refused to commit to not demolishing the center. The GW Hatchet, while largely obscured by site navigation code in the provided text, is identified as covering the impact of the closure on DC performers and businesses, suggesting a broader community and economic perspective on the venue's shutdown. The Herald-Zeitung source is an opinion piece but contains no readable article text, only site registration and login forms, offering no substantive perspective on the story.

Why it matters

This situation underscores the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the Kennedy Center, a federal institution, over its management, safety, and potential demolition. The continued use of the building by the National Symphony Orchestra, despite official closures and safety warnings, raises questions about the practicality and safety of the administration's claims. The legal battles over the center's closure and renaming continue to play out in federal court, with the Justice Department seeking to dissolve the judge's order blocking renovations. The incident also highlights the impact of political disputes on cultural institutions and their staff, as musicians navigate a complex environment of safety concerns, political pressure, and financial uncertainty.

What to watch

The Kennedy Center is expected to complete its 'emergency egress assessment' within one to two weeks, after which an update will be shared. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper has ordered an update on the center's closure by Friday, with Floca expected to provide the same information as in his Wednesday email. The Justice Department has asked the judge to dissolve the order blocking renovations, but Cooper has yet to rule on that motion. Trump has appealed the judge's order blocking the addition of his name to the building. The National Symphony Orchestra will continue its rehearsals and upcoming performances in Maryland and Virginia, with the theme of 'music that finds hope and vitality in the face of adversity.'