NEWS ALERT: ‘Targeted attack’ vandalizes Trump-Kennedy Center outdoor ice rink, forces performance cancellation

February 21, 2026

From Fox News: The Trump-Kennedy Center was the target of what officials described as a “calculated, malicious attack” early Friday after a “toxic chemical” was poured onto its outdoor ice rink, forcing a performance cancellation.

Trump-Kennedy Center leadership said a dark substance was poured onto the ice surface, severely damaging the outdoor arena.

Leadership said the incident was not a protest but an act of outright vandalism targeting the Trump-Kennedy Center.

“Today, a targeted attack on the Trump Kennedy Center vandalized and destroyed our outdoor arena, causing severe damage that we unfortunately must cancel tonight’s performance, but we are working feverishly to complete repairs so programming can resume tomorrow,” Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Trump-Kennedy Center, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We have turned over video footage to the authorities who are investigating this calculated, malicious attack and hold those responsible accountable.”

Daravi shared a photo showing the ice covered with a dark liquid, and a gallon jug still left behind.

🚨Trump @kencen was targeted today in a malicious act of vandalism🚨

Our outdoor plaza was doused with a toxic chemical and severely damaged (see photo). We will not tolerate violence or hate at America’s cultural center. Authorities are investigating and those responsible will… pic.twitter.com/dIcd0OcKcL

— Roma Daravi (@romadaravi) February 21, 2026

“Video footage was given to the authorities. Sadly, the media and democrats have been promoting violent rhetoric since the day @realDonaldTrump arrived to save the Center, so they need to speak out against this violence now and put an end to further attacks,” Daravi added.

Video footage was given to the authorities. Sadly, the media and democrats have been promoting violent rhetoric since the day @realDonaldTrump arrived to save the Center, so they need to speak out against this violence now and put an end to further attacks.

— Roma Daravi (@romadaravi) February 21, 2026

Richard Grenell, president of the Trump-Kennedy Center, wrote, “This is so sad & unnecessary – @TheDemocrats have been calling artists urging them to cancel and attacking the Center non-stop. It’s a calculated campaign. And now they have mentally unstable people taking action – and vandalizing the Center. We’ve seen serious death threats and constant harassment. Commonsense Democrats must speak up before this violence takes a life.”

This is so sad & unnecessary – @TheDemocrats have been calling artists urging them to cancel and attacking the Center non-stop.

It’s a calculated campaign.

And now they have mentally unstable people taking action – and vandalizing the Center.

We’ve seen serious death…

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 21, 2026

Below is a video about the beautiful show that had to be cancelled after the rink was vandalized.

Alexandre Hamel, Artistic Director of Le Patin Libre, gave a behind-the-scenes look at their new production, 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, and explained they had built the outdoor rink especially for their show.

Join Alexandre Hamel, Artistic Director of Le Patin Libre, for a behind-the-scenes look at their new production, 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

Happening now at their custom-made ice rink on our outdoor plaza—playing NOW through SUNDAY!

Tickets on sale NOW.https://t.co/T7UEvd2sko pic.twitter.com/Zfh6eVJtMK

— The Trump Kennedy Center (@kencen) February 20, 2026