Patti LuPone Criticizes Trump’s Renovation Plans for Kennedy Center

Broadway star Patti LuPone recently voiced her disapproval of President Donald Trump’s proposed renovations for the Kennedy Center, referring to him as a “clown” during a concert in New York City. She encouraged attendees to resist the changes planned for the iconic venue.

“The time for us to stand up and speak is over,” LuPone stated at Carnegie Hall. This comment followed an announcement from President Trump that the Kennedy Center would close for two years for renovations. LuPone firmly asserted that Trump “can’t touch the Kennedy Center” and called on her audience to protest the changes online.

Trump’s renovation plans include improvements to the building’s infrastructure, such as heating and ventilation, while assuring that the structure itself would remain intact. He mentioned the use of steel for the updates, indicating some marble components might deteriorate but that the final outcome would be a “brand new and very clean” venue.

In a significant move, Trump has been appointed chair of the newly formed Kennedy Center Board of Directors, which recently voted to rename the building as the Trump Kennedy Center.

LuPone expressed her frustration over the developments, urging protesters to “keep the building alive.” Earlier, she had even told a reporter that, under Trump, the center “should be blown up.” Her strong reactions highlight a wider concern among artists about the changes.

In response to LuPone’s comments, a spokesperson for the Trump Kennedy Center defended the renovation, arguing that the facility was overdue for repairs that had been neglected by the entertainment industry.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Liz Houston echoed this sentiment, stating that Trump aims to modernize the center to meet building codes and enhance visitors’ experiences. She emphasized that, under Trump’s leadership, the Kennedy Center will become a premier venue for performing arts.

LuPone is not alone in her dissent. Other artists, including banjo player Béla Fleck and comedian Issa Rae, have canceled performances at the center in protest of the reforms.

Trump Kennedy Center Director Richard Grenell expressed gratitude for the funding allocated to address maintenance issues, claiming the renovation is essential and would allow for a more thorough update during the closure.