Source: Fortune.com
Summary
President Donald Trump announced plans to close the Kennedy Center for two years starting in July for construction. The decision comes after a wave of cancellations by performing arts groups, including composer Philip Glass and the Washington National Opera, following Trump’s takeover of the center. Trump said the renovation would turn the center into a “World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment.” The proposal is subject to approval by the center’s board of trustees, which Trump chairs.
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The strategy enters a familiar phase.
Trump’s announcement follows a series of high-profile departures from the Kennedy Center, including Philip Glass and the Washington National Opera. The center’s reputation has taken a hit since Trump’s takeover. Trump’s plan to renovate the center is subject to approval by the board of trustees, which he chairs. The renovation would reportedly take two years, starting in July. Trump’s vision for the center’s future is at odds with the values of the performing arts groups that have cancelled their appearances.
The art of rebranding a crisis as a “renovation” is a classic move.
Author: Evan Null
