Trump to Take Over Kennedy Center, Says He’ll Dismiss Board Members
A Controversial Move
President Donald Trump left the arts world reeling with his announcement on Truth Social that he intends to appoint himself chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and immediately terminate multiple members of the board of trustees, “who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”
A History of Contention
Trump has long had a contentious relationship with the storied arts institution, considered the nation’s most prestigious avatar of culture. In 2017, he and First Lady Melania Trump skipped that year’s Kennedy Center Honors after being criticized by honorees, marking only the fourth time in the organization’s history that a president was not in attendance.
The Kennedy Center’s Structure
The Kennedy Center is a federal facility authorized by an act of Congress in 1958 and maintains a public-private partnership with the federal government, which funds the building’s maintenance and operations. Its arts programs, performances, and educational initiatives are paid for through ticket sales and gifts from donors.
Board of Trustees
The current chairman for more than a decade is businessman and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein. Rubenstein had planned to retire last month, but after Trump’s election, it was announced that he would stay in his role for an additional year. Board members are appointed by the president. At present, there are 36 board members, some of whom were appointed by Trump during his first term, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and his former transportation secretary, Elaine Chao.
Recent Appointments
President Biden filled a number of board vacancies during his last weeks in office, naming, among others, former White House press secretary Mike Donilon. Honorary chairs of the Kennedy Center include first ladies Melania Trump, Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Laura Bush.
Trump’s Vision
“Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP.” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation.”
A Pattern of Disagreement
This is not the first time in the early days of his second administration that the president has taken a muscular stance against existing cultural organizations. One of his first acts as president was to dissolve the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, which was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 to advise on issues of cultural and artistic import.
Uncertainty Surrounds Board Members
Trump did not say which board members he planned to oust in his Truth Social post. The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the president’s stated plans.
Conclusion
The move has left many in the arts community wondering what the implications will be for the Kennedy Center and its programs. With Trump’s history of controversy and his stated intention to “stop” certain types of programming, it remains to be seen what the future holds for this iconic institution.
FAQs
Q: Why is Trump taking over the Kennedy Center?
A: According to Trump, he intends to appoint himself chairman of the Kennedy Center and terminate multiple members of the board of trustees who do not share his vision for the institution.
Q: What is the Kennedy Center’s relationship with the federal government?
A: The Kennedy Center is a federal facility authorized by an act of Congress in 1958 and maintains a public-private partnership with the federal government, which funds the building’s maintenance and operations.
Q: Who are the current board members of the Kennedy Center?
A: There are currently 36 board members, some of whom were appointed by Trump during his first term, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and his former transportation secretary, Elaine Chao.
Q: Will the Kennedy Center’s programming change under Trump’s leadership?
A: Trump has stated that he intends to “stop” certain types of programming, including drag shows, and to focus on featuring “the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation.” However, it is unclear what specific changes he plans to make to the Kennedy Center’s programming.
