The Kennedy Center, established in 1958 under the Republican leadership of President Dwight Eisenhower, serves as America's "National Cultural Center." Its legislative roots and public funding place it under the President1's jurisdiction, who has the authority to appoint members to its board of trustees.
President Trump, now back in the Oval Office, has taken steps to counteract what he perceives as the center's overly progressive influence. "Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP," Trump declared on Truth Social last week. He further pledged to initiate a new "Golden Age in Arts and Culture" at the Kennedy Center, which he described as "an American jewel." He confidently stated, "THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"
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In line with his vision, Trump dismissed all 18 board members nominated by Democratic presidents, as reported by NPR. Among those removed were former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and former Biden adviser Mike Donilon, both appointed shortly before President Joe Biden left office. Trump has since replaced them with several of his MAGA allies, including his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance. By Wednesday, the board had unanimously elected Trump as chairman.
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The center responded to these changes with a statement, acknowledging their unusual nature but confirming their legality. "There is nothing in the center's statute that would prevent a new administration from replacing board members; however, this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center's board," the statement read.
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In exercising his presidential authority to reshape the performing arts center, Trump has begun to fulfill a significant campaign promise to purge the institution of leftist ideology. However, this new direction, devoid of drag performances, has not been well-received by some entertainers, leading to their voluntary departure.
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Among the first to announce her resignation was Shonda Rhimes, the 55-year-old TV executive renowned for "Grey's Anatomy." Rhimes shared a screenshot of an article about her resignation on Instagram, accompanied by a quote from President John F. Kennedy: "If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him."
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Ben Folds, the lead singer of Ben Folds Five, also resigned from his position as artistic director to the National Symphony Orchestra. "Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today, I am resigning as artistic director to the NSO," he announced on Instagram.
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Renowned soprano opera singer Renee Fleming, who has won over a dozen Grammys and featured on major film soundtracks, also stepped down from her role as artistic adviser at large. "I’ve treasured the bi-partisan support for this institution as a beacon of America at our best," she said in a statement. "I hope the Kennedy Center continues to flourish and serve the passionate and diverse audience in our nation’s capital and across the country."
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Following her dismissal, former President Deborah Rutter issued a statement emphasizing the critical importance of arts and culture. "Much like our democracy itself, artistic expression must be nurtured, fostered, prioritized, and protected," she wrote. "It is not a passive endeavor; indeed, there is no clearer sign of American democracy at work than our artists, the work they produce, and audiences' unalienable right to actively participate."
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Richard Grenell, ambassador to Germany during Trump's first term, has since been appointed interim executive director. "RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!" Trump posted to Truth Social Monday night.
Blaze Media Align managing editor Matt Himes expressed enthusiasm about the departure of these anti-Trump, "self-important celebrities" who have "spent the last decade ruining" various aspects of culture. "Go ahead and quit, but America voted against paying attention to your public tantrums a few months ago," he told The Blaze in a statement. "You guys are like phones going off in a theater once the lights go down. Time to put yourselves in airplane mode so the rest of us can enjoy the show in peace."
