Kennedy Center Tours Suspended Amid Trump Takeover Controversy

Since Donald Trump assumed control of the Kennedy Center, the venue has faced mounting criticism. Long‑time volunteer guide Sandy Weiswasser, 87, told the New York Times that attendance has plummeted and that only a handful of volunteers showed up for recent tours. She described the center as a “black hole” compared with its former bustling atmosphere. Within days of her interview, the institution announced a temporary halt to its free public tours, a five‑decade tradition that introduced millions of visitors to the performing‑arts complex. Officials said the pause would last a few days while visitor routes and guest experiences were reviewed. The episode adds to a broader legal and political dispute surrounding Trump’s management of the center, including the removal of his name from the venue.

The controversy highlights tensions between the new leadership’s changes and the expectations of longtime staff and patrons, raising questions about the future of the Kennedy Center’s public outreach programs.