A Major Shift at the Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center, a prestigious cultural landmark in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant transformation.
Donald Trump has been appointed as the new chairman, and his takeover is shaking things up.
After becoming head of the organization on February 13, 2025, Trump wasted no time in implementing changes, including firing the center’s president, Deborah Rutter, and overhauling the board of trustees.
Celebrities Depart in Response
Trump’s appointment has caused a stir in the arts community, leading some big names to step down from their roles at the Kennedy Center.
Shonda Rhimes, the powerhouse behind TV hits like Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton, announced her resignation as treasurer of the board, citing the changes.
Rhimes made it clear in a statement that she would no longer be part of the center.
In addition to Rhimes, renowned musician Ben Folds also resigned from his position as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra.
Folds cited the recent developments at the center as his reason for stepping down, stating that it “wasn’t for him.”
Opera singer and actress Renee Fleming, another prominent figure at the center, also made the decision to leave.
She praised the previous leadership, including Rutter and former chairman David Rubenstein, for their bipartisan approach and expressed hope that the Kennedy Center would continue to thrive despite the changes.
Trump’s Vision for the Kennedy Center
Trump has expressed excitement about the direction he wants the Kennedy Center to take under his leadership.
In a statement, he called it an “honor” to take on the role of chairman, and he promised to make the center a “special and exciting place.
” He also outlined his vision, criticizing the center for becoming “too woke” and emphasizing that some people had refused to attend events due to this shift in direction.
Trump’s decision to target the Kennedy Center is part of his broader efforts to reshape American institutions.
In addition to his controversial plans to slash government jobs and close agencies, Trump has made it clear that he wants to bring a more conservative approach to cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center.
Changes to the Board and Leadership
Trump’s swift actions included replacing the Kennedy Center’s leadership, with his appointees taking over key positions.
Richard Grenell, a former ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term, was appointed as interim president.
Grenell, known for his role in Trump’s administration, also helped lead the response to the California wildfires.
Not only did Trump replace Rutter, but he also reshuffled the center’s board of trustees.
The new board includes some of Trump’s allies, such as singer Lee Greenwood and White House staff members Susie Wiles and Dan Scavino.
The board now has 31 members, and some former appointees from the Biden administration, like former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, were dismissed.
Disputes Over Trump’s Election as Chairman
While the Kennedy Center announced Trump’s election as chairman as “unanimous,” not everyone agrees with that characterization.
CNN’s Jake Tapper reported that there were some abstentions and even votes against Trump, though he acknowledged that the final results were overwhelmingly in his favor.
During an appearance on Anderson Cooper’s show, Tapper played a recording of Trump expressing his dissatisfaction with the Kennedy Center’s recent direction and his desire to make it a more conservative institution.
Trump also criticized the center’s past performances and called for a shift away from what he referred to as its “woke” tendencies.
A Larger Cultural Battle
Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center reflects his broader cultural agenda.
His comments about the center’s previous focus on drag shows and its liberal leanings reveal his intention to reshape the institution into something more in line with his values.
This move comes just a few weeks into his second term, and it signals a desire to exert influence over cultural institutions in Washington, D.C.
While the changes have drawn backlash from some, it remains to be seen how the Kennedy Center will evolve under Trump’s leadership and whether it will continue to be a bipartisan symbol of American culture or a more polarized institution aligned with conservative values.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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