Donald Trump has taken control of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, sparking outrage and mass show cancellations. The former president fired multiple board members last week, clearing the way for his appointment as chairman—a role he quickly embraced.
The Kennedy Center, a prestigious institution named after President John F. Kennedy, is home to the Washington National Opera and the National Symphony Orchestra, hosting over 2,000 performances annually. It has long been a cultural landmark, with its annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony traditionally attended by sitting presidents. However, Trump notably snubbed the event during his first term, signaling his distaste for the institution.
Trump’s takeover appears to stem from his opposition to the Kennedy Center’s past programming, including drag performances. In a fiery social media post, he declared that the center does not “share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture,” adding, “We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”
His leadership has already led to sweeping changes, including a crackdown on LGBTQ representation. He has vowed to eliminate drag performances entirely and has dismantled the center’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, stripping all related references from its website.
Despite Trump’s claims of leadership, the Kennedy Center has pushed back, stating that it has received “no official communications from the White House regarding changes to our board of trustees.” The now-deleted statement also noted that while board members can be replaced by a new administration, no such move has ever been made in the institution’s history—until now.
The backlash has been swift. In response to Trump’s self-appointment, numerous artists have canceled their scheduled performances, with actress Issa Rae among the first to pull out. More performers are expected to follow, leaving the future of the Kennedy Center under Trump’s rule uncertain.
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