Overview
- Trump announced a full shutdown for roughly two years starting July 4, saying pausing performances will speed construction and improve results.
- He told reporters the building will not be demolished, describing an extensive interior reconstruction that reuses the existing steel structure.
- Trump claims financing is fully secured and estimated costs near $200 million, while interim president Richard Grenell cites a prior $257 million congressional allocation.
- Board approval is still pending, and the institution continues to lose talent, with cancellations by Philip Glass and Renée Fleming and the Washington National Opera relocating productions.
- The addition of Trump’s name to the memorial is being challenged in court and in Congress, and independent analysis reports ticket sales have fallen to their lowest levels since the pandemic.