President Trump has declared his intention to take over the leadership of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. D.C.
After The Atlantic first reported the news, Trump confirmed his plans in a Friday evening Truth Social post, writing, “At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. 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.”
Trump went on to declare that he would instate himself as chairman of the newly-formed board. “We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!” Current chairman David Rubenstein was set to hold the position through 2026.
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Trump went on to attack drag programming mounted at the performing arts center, adding, “Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
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Drag shows put on at the Kennedy Center in 2024 included “Broadway Drag Brunch” and “Dancing Queens Drag Brunch” on the venue’s Roof Terrace Restaurant, “A Drag Salute to Divas” on the South Millennium Stage, “Bertha: Grateful Drag” in the Terrace Theater and “Dixie’s Tupperware Party” in the Family Theater.
The Kennedy Center responded to the news in a statement provided to Variety on Friday evening. “Throughout our history, the Kennedy Center has enjoyed strong support from members of congress and their staffs — Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Since our doors opened in 1971, we have had a collaborative relationship with every presidential administration. Since that time, the Kennedy Center has had a bi-partisan board of trustees that has supported the arts in a non-partisan fashion.”
The statement continues, “While we are a living memorial to President Kennedy, we are also a unique public-private partnership. The Center is supported by federal annual appropriations for the upkeep and maintenance of the building as a federal memorial, or approximately 16% of the total operating budget. Support for the Center’s artistic programming comes from ticket sales, donations, rental income, and other revenue sources.”
The statement went on to directly address Trump’s post: “The Kennedy Center is aware of the post made recently by POTUS on social media. We have received no official communications from the White House regarding changes to our board of trustees. We are aware that some members of our board have received termination notices from the administration.”
While some questioned if Trump had the authority to make such a move, the Kennedy Center hinted that, while the decision is unprecedented, it is not expressly forbidden.
“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. 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.”
Reps for Rubenstein, who is co-founder and co-chairman of private equity giant Carlyle, declined to comment.
