Despite his Kennedy Center takeover, President Donald J. Trump has failed to make the Kennedy Center Great Again.

Following a report by the Washington Post that was then corroborated by the New York Times, the performing arts have seen a drastic decline in ticket sales and subscription revenue.

The New York Times reported that, according to data compiled by anonymous employees, “single-ticket sales were down roughly 50 percent in April and May, compared with the same period in 2024.” The report also noted that revenue was down 82 percent for theater and 57 percent for dance.

Meanwhile, the National Symphony Orchestra saw a decline in subscriptions by 28 percent, and the Washington National Opera saw subscriptions down by 25 percent.

In total, subscription revenue was projected at $2.7 million in the coming fiscal year, compared with $4.4 million this year.

The Kennedy Center’s senior vice president of marketing, Kim Cooper fired back via X, stating it was fake news. She added, “Your comparison isn’t accurate because of several factors. We strategically launched later this year vs. last year. Our renewal campaign is just kicking off, and our hard-copy season brochures have not yet hit homes. Also, earlier this year, and for the first time ever in Kennedy Center history, we launched a brand new option that lets subscribers mix and match genres within a single subscription. It is a highly requested feature we’re proud to deliver as part of our commitment to giving people more choice and flexibility. It also expands our ability to reach new audiences.”

The Kennedy Center has been in the headlines ever since Trump took over as president of the board and installed Ric Grenell as President. After firing President Deborah Rutter, Grenell and his administration have claimed that there was fraud committed at the center. He said that they had “uncovered $26 million in phantom revenue and that he would refer the matter to federal prosecutors.” However, no official investigation has begun.

The center also reported through right-wing media outlets that it had had broken the All-Time attendance record. However, it was for a fireworks show outside, and it saw 11,000 people in attendance.