The Trump Kennedy Center is rejecting reports that its 55-year-long partnership with the Washington National Opera (WNO) ended poorly.
The center told the Washington Reporter that the decision for the two institutions to part ways was made by the Trump Kennedy Center, not by the WNO, in an effort to support the “financial stability” of the center, a spokesperson said.
“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship,” a spokesperson for the center said. “We believe this represents the best path forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy Center.”
Under the stewardship of President Donald Trump and Ambassador Richard Grenell, the Trump Kennedy Center has prioritized balancing the center’s finances, which Grenell has categorized in previous interviews with the Reporter as “criminal,” paying people out of its debt reserves.
The center’s latest move was made to ensure that the arts center has the flexibility and funds to bring in operas from around the world and across the U.S. to perform on its stage.
One of the WNO’s board members explained that “there were disagreements among the board on whether to disaffiliate or not. Some WNO Board members are resigning.” Over the past decade, the WNO’s exclusive relationship with the Trump Kennedy Center cost $64 million, according to figures the center provided to the Reporter. The WNO finished the most recent fiscal year with a $7.2 million deficit, while comprising 16 percent combined expenses for the Trump Kennedy Center and only 8 percent of its combined revenue.
The WNO’s exclusivity agreement with the arts center always came with limitations for the WNO, and the Trump Kennedy Center’s leadership approached the WNO leadership with a proposal to reform the relationship in 2025; those conversations commenced well before the then-Kennedy Center announced plans to rename itself.
Under Trump and Grenell, the Trump Kennedy Center has withstood its share of controversies, and has also reinvigorated its sponsorship of arts centers, including the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), which raised a record-breaking amount under the leadership of Trump and Grenell. The NSO’s annual gala in 2025 raised a record-breaking $3.45 million, vastly exceeding the $1.5 million raised during its 2024 counterpart.
