Toxic Chemicals Poured On Trump-Kennedy Center Ice Rink In ‘Targeted Attack’

An outdoor ice rink at the Trump-Kennedy Center For Performing Arts was vandalized when a toxic chemical substance was poured across its surface on Friday morning.

Officials described the act as a “targeted” attack that caused severe damage to the rink and forced the cancellation of a scheduled performance that evening. The incident took place on the center’s plaza, where a temporary ice rink had been installed for winter programming.

The substance, described as a dark brown material, was deliberately spread over a large portion of the ice. Images released by the center show the material covering significant areas of the rink surface, with a black plastic gallon-sized jug left behind at the scene.

Leadership at the Trump-Kennedy Center confirmed the substance was toxic, though its exact chemical composition has not been publicly identified. The vandalism resulted in substantial damage to the outdoor arena and plaza, they added.

The scheduled Friday night performance by Le Patin Libre, a Montreal-based artistic skating company that had set up the rink for shows through the weekend, was canceled. Center staff stated they were working to complete repairs in time to resume programming for the remainder of the weekend.

Center staff stated they were working to complete repairs in time to resume programming for the remainder of the weekend.

“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. “We have turned over video footage to the authorities who are investigating this calculated, malicious attack and hold those responsible accountable.”

🚨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

The U.S. Park Police are leading the investigation into the incident. The center provided surveillance video footage to authorities, but no suspects have been named and no motive has been publicly disclosed as of this report.

Officials emphasized that the act was not a protest but an instance of outright vandalism targeting the facility.

Trump-Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell blamed the act on rising political violence and vilification of the center from the left. “This is so sad & unnecessary – [the Democrats] 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,” Grenell posted on social media.

“We’ve seen serious death threats and constant harassment. Commonsense Democrats must speak up before this violence takes a life,” he added.

The center has indeed become an object of scorn for the left since President Donald Trump announced this past December that its board had agreed to rename it after him. It had previously been just the Kennedy Center, named after former President John F. Kennedy, since it opened in 1971.

Left-wing opposition to the name change, as well as the Trump Administration as a whole, has led to successful pressure campaigns against artists and other acts scheduled to perform. In one notable example, the Washington National Opera relocated its entire spring season, cancelling 28 shows.

Earlier this month, Trump announced that the center would be closing for upwards of two years to undergo expansive renovations. Operations are expected to cease shortly after the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations in July.

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