Washington National Opera may move out of Kennedy Center due to Trump 'takeover'

Source: The Guardian

Fri 7 Nov 2025 15.44 EST
Last modified on Fri 7 Nov 2025 16.00 EST


The Washington National Opera (WNO) is considering moving out of the Kennedy Center, the company’s home since the US’s national performing arts center opened in 1971. The possibility has been forced on the company as a result of the “takeover” of the center by Donald Trump, according to WNO’s artistic director, Francesca Zambello.

The president declared himself chair of the institution in February, sacking and replacing its board and leadership. Leaving the Kennedy Center is a possible scenario after a collapse in box office revenue and “shattered” donor confidence in the wake of Trump’s takeover, said Zambello.

“It is our desire to perform in our home at the Kennedy Center,” she said. “But if we cannot raise enough money, or sell enough tickets in there, we have to consider other options. “The two things that support a company financially, because of the takeover, have been severely compromised,” she said.

Ticket sales were about 40% unsold compared with before Trump declared himself chair, said Zambello. Many have decided to boycott the center. Every day she receives messages of protest from formerly loyal members of the audience, she says.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/07/washington-national-opera-kennedy-center