Trump Fires Kennedy Center Board Members, Declares Himself Chairman
In a bold move, President Donald Trump has announced that he is firing multiple members of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts board of trustees and appointing himself as chairman.
Trump made the announcement Friday on his social media platform, vowing to reshape the institution’s leadership and direction. He also stated his intention to influence programming, specifically banning performances featuring drag artists.
A ‘Golden Age’ in Arts and Culture?
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote. “I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”
He then added, “We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”
Kennedy Center Responds
The Kennedy Center quickly issued a statement acknowledging Trump’s post but noted that it had received no official communication from the White House regarding board changes.
“Per the Center’s governance established by Congress in 1958, the chair of the board of trustees is appointed by the Center’s board members,” the statement read. “There is nothing in the Center’s statute that would prevent a new administration from replacing board members; however, this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center’s board.”
The board currently consists of high-profile political figures and donors from both parties, including current chairman David Rubenstein, a billionaire philanthropist first appointed by Republican President George W. Bush and later reappointed by Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Backlash Over Drag Show Ban
Trump also signaled upcoming changes to the Kennedy Center’s programming, criticizing its past events featuring drag performances.
“Last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth—THIS WILL STOP,” Trump wrote.
According to the Kennedy Center’s website, the institution hosted a preshow event titled “A Drag Salute to Divas” in July and a “Drag Brunch” in November.
Drag performers and advocates quickly condemned Trump’s stance, arguing that his actions amount to censorship.
“This is about who gets to exist in public spaces and whose stories get to be told on America’s stage,” said Blaq Dinamyte, president of Qommittee, a national network of drag artists and allies. “Banning an entire art form is censorship, plain and simple. Americans don’t have to agree on everything, but we should be able to speak our minds and perform our art without bans, retaliation, or intimidation.”
Political Implications and Website Crash
Trump’s decision to restructure the Kennedy Center board is part of a broader effort in his second term to reshape government institutions. He has already attempted to shut down federal agencies, freeze spending, and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the government.
His announcement also seemed to trigger a surge in online traffic, as the Kennedy Center’s website experienced technical difficulties shortly after his post. Visitors were met with a message stating, “We are experiencing high traffic” and were redirected to a virtual waiting room.
Who’s In and Who’s Out?
While Trump has not detailed which board members he will remove besides Rubenstein, the board includes a mix of his allies and Democratic appointees.
Notable Members:
✅ Trump Allies
- Pam Bondi, recently confirmed as Trump’s attorney general
- Lee Greenwood, country singer known for “God Bless the USA”
- Jon Voight, actor and vocal Trump supporter
- Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel
❌ Biden-Appointed Members
- Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary
- Mike Donilon, longtime Biden adviser
- Stephanie Cutter, former Obama adviser
- Shonda Rhimes, television producer and major Democratic fundraiser
A New Era for the Kennedy Center?
Unlike past presidents, Trump refused to attend the Kennedy Center Honors during his first term, citing conflicts with the arts community. Now, as he positions himself at the helm of one of the nation’s most prestigious cultural institutions, the future of the Kennedy Center remains uncertain.
Whether his vision of a “Golden Age” in the arts will gain traction—or face fierce resistance—remains to be seen.
