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September 2, 2026
Kennedy Center Removes 'Blue' Statue Amid Controversial Renovations
- Crews have begun removing Joel Shapiro's 'Blue' statue from the Kennedy Center, which was installed in 2019.
- The National Park Service temporarily closed a road for several hours during the statue's removal, which the Kennedy Center described as a common practice.
- The removal aligns with President Trump's vision for new art at the Kennedy Center, as he aims to reshape the institution ahead of its planned reopening.
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5 Sources
- Crews prepare to remove 'Blue' statue from Kennedy Center campusSep 2, 2026 at 1:50 PM · NBC
- Too ‘Blue’ for Trump: Workers begin tearing down beloved sculpture at Kennedy Center as takeover battle continuesSep 2, 2026 at 2:12 PM · Independent
- Kennedy Center removing landmark sculpture from groundsSep 2, 2026 at 2:28 PM · The Hill
- Kennedy Center begins removal of outdoor ‘Blue’ sculptureSep 2, 2026 at 3:08 PM · CNN
- Kennedy Center removes 'Blue' sculpture as Trump presses on with Washington makeoverSep 2, 2026 at 3:48 PM · Reuters