Dana Blumberg, the wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, has joined the board of trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after President Donald Trump was named its chairman this week.
There has been major turnover at the institution following Trump’s appointment, with several leaders being fired and other affiliated members distancing themselves from the center.
Kraft and Trump were longtime friends before Trump’s foray into politics, and Kraft even donated to his first inauguration. However, the Patriots owner said he stopped talking to the president after the Jan. 6 riots.
Who is Dana Blumberg?
Dana Blumberg is an ophthalmologist based in New York City. She has been married to Robert Kraft since 2022, and the pair reportedly started dating in 2017.
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Blumberg graduated from Brown University in 1995 before receiving her medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 2000.
She also received a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University and was an adjunct associate professor of ophthalmology at Cornell University, according to her staff bio.
What happened at the Kennedy Center? Trump takes over as chair
Trump took over the Kennedy Center’s board after firing former chairman David Rubenstein as well as the center’s president, Deborah Rutter. Both were appointed to their roles by former President Joe Biden.
After Trump’s appointment was made official Wednesday, several high-profile individuals cut ties with the center.
Shonda Rhimes, the creator of shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal,” announced her resignation from the center’s board on Wednesday.
Actress Issa Rae canceled a scheduled appearance at the center, citing “an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums” in a statement posted to Instagram.
Musician Ben Folds and actress Renee Fleming, who both served as artistic advisors affiliated with the center, also resigned their positions.
What is the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts?
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center in Washington, D.C. It serves as a national cultural center and hosts shows in theater, dance, music and more.
The center is named in honor of former President John F. Kennedy and opened in 1971. It is also the site of the prestigious annual Kennedy Center Honors, which recognizes the country’s most influential performers.
Melina Khan is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY Network – New England, which serves more than a dozen affiliated news organizations across New England. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.
