US President Donald Trump’s sudden takeover of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has sparked outrage among artists, cultural institutions, and human rights groups. The move, which saw Trump fire all 36-member board of trustees and appoint himself as chairman, has been criticized as a blatant attempt to impose his own conservative values on the iconic institution.
Until recently, the Kennedy Center’s board had been bipartisan, with members divided evenly between Democrats and Republicans. However, Trump’s decision to terminate the board and install himself as chairman signals a shift towards authoritarian control over the arts.
The move is seen as part of a broader trend by cultural watchdogs, who warn that attacks on culture are often a precursor to assaults on human rights and democracy. The Kennedy Center, which hosts over 2,000 events annually, has been criticized for its perceived “woke” agenda, with Trump condemning drag shows targeting LGBTQ+ youth.
Critics argue that such moves are part of a deliberate effort to silence independent voices and curtail criticism of the government. This echoes the tactics employed by authoritarian regimes around the world, including Russia’s suppression of Ukrainian culture and Hungary’s erosion of intellectual freedom.
The takeover has sparked fears that Trump will use his newfound control over the Kennedy Center to reshape the cultural landscape in his image. With executive orders aimed at suppressing diversity and inclusion, experts warn that this marks a significant escalation of authoritarianism in the US.
As author Liesl Gerntholtz noted, “When a state dictates culture, it undermines the freedoms that allow democracy to thrive.” The Kennedy Center’s role as a symbol of art and expression in democracy is under threat, and the consequences for artistic freedom and human rights will be severe if Trump succeeds in imposing his vision on the institution.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2025-02-19/trump-culture-war-kennedy-center