The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. has undergone significant changes under President Donald Trump’s second term. The president has ousted the institution’s leadership, filled its board of trustees with his supporters, and announced himself as the unanimously elected chair.
The center, which attracts millions of visitors each year, was conceived in the late 1950s as a bipartisan project by Republican President Dwight Eisenhower and Democratic President John F. Kennedy. It features various performance venues, including a concert hall, opera house, and theater, and offers free shows through its “Millennium Stage.”
President Trump has been far more aggressive in his second term, citing some drag show performances at the center as a reason to transform it entirely. He has terminated multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share his vision for a “Golden Age” in arts and culture.
The Kennedy Center’s new board is predominantly Republican, with recent additions including country star Lee Greenwood and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. The center’s president, Deborah F. Rutter, was fired soon after the board shakeup, and Trump replaced her with diplomat Richard Grenell on an interim basis.
The fallout from these changes has been significant, with Kennedy Center consultants such as musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming resigning, and actor Issa Rae and author Louise Penny canceling appearances. The center’s schedule includes events that have sparked controversy, including a comedy event celebrating Women’s History Month and a stage play centered on an outbreak of mumps.
The changes at the Kennedy Center have also led to concerns about artistic freedom and diversity. The center’s core mission still aims to ensure excellence in education and outreach programs, but its new leadership has been criticized for prioritizing Trump’s vision over the institution’s values.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-center-trump-what-to-know-4305e2c3d5611c4bfb1686d597727369