WASHINGTON − The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has been America’s premiere stage for decades. But more recently, the cultural center has been in the headlines not for art but rather, politics.
President Donald Trump announced last week a massive overhaul at the Kennedy Center that included the termination of multiple board of trustees members, including Chairman David Rubenstein. And Trump named Rubenstein’s replacement: himself.
The reason for the changes, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Friday, was the center’s decision to host drag show performances at its venue.
“THIS WILL STOP,” Trump wrote.
“The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation,” he continued. “For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
What is going on at the Kennedy Center?
Less than a month into his second term, Trump booted a portion of the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees (prompting additional members to resign) and installed himself as the new chair.
Then, the center fired its longtime president, Deborah Rutter, The New York Times and others reported Wednesday. A press release from the center last month noted that Rutter had planned to step down from her position, which she has held since 2014, at the end of the year.
In her stead, Trump named ally and former ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as interim president.
New board members include friends of Trump as well as some of his Cabinet members, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi, musician Lee Greenwood and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
Artists, creatives respond
In response to all the upheaval, multiple stars and artists have cut ties with the Kennedy Center.
Executive producer Shonda Rhimes, the mind behind hits like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Bridgerton,” confirmed Wednesday she had stepped down from the board of trustees. Musician Ben Folds announced Thursday his resignation from artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the Kennedy Center.
And actress and producer Issa Rae said she is canceling her sold-out March appearance at the Kennedy Center.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” Rae wrote in an Instagram post Wednesday.
What is the Kennedy Center?
The Kennedy Center, named after slain former President John F. Kennedy, was the brain-child of Kennedy’s predecessor, Dwight Eisenhower, according to the center’s website.
Eisenhower established a commission for the center in 1955 and signed the National Cultural Center Act in 1958. Kennedy then took over in creating what was then the National Cultural Center, including leading major fundraising efforts the website notes.
The center was officially renamed in 1963, following Kennedy’s assassination.
The center opened with a gala on September 8, 1971.
Contributing: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
