President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will take over as chairman of the Kennedy Center and remove multiple board members, saying the institution needs leadership that aligns with his vision for the arts.
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated:
“We will 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 also wrote that the new board will have an “amazing Chairman”—himself.
Additionally, Trump criticized the Kennedy Center for hosting drag performances, claiming they were “targeting our youth.” He promised, “THIS WILL STOP.”
Shake-Up in Leadership
The move, first reported by The Atlantic, marks a significant shift in the center’s leadership.
Current chairman David Rubenstein, a financier and philanthropist, has led the Kennedy Center for over a decade. He originally planned to step down in early 2024, but after Trump’s election victory, the center announced he would stay until September 2026.
Board Members Caught Off Guard
Several board members told The New York Times they were unaware of their removal until receiving an email from Sergio Gor, head of Trump’s personnel office.
The email read:
“On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position on the Board of The Kennedy Center is terminated, effective immediately. Thank you for your service.”
The subject line was: “An Update from the White House.”
Kennedy Center Responds
In a statement, the Kennedy Center said it had not been informed of Trump’s plans but confirmed that some board members had been removed.
“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 also noted that while a new administration can replace board members, this is the first time such an action has been taken.
Political Shift in the Board
The Kennedy Center board has traditionally maintained bipartisan leadership.
It consists of 36 members, each serving a six-year term. The board was recently split evenly between appointees of President Biden and President Trump.
Before leaving office, Biden appointed 12 new members, including former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and political strategist Mike Donilon.
Trump’s History With the Kennedy Center
During his first term, Trump clashed with the Kennedy Center and refused to attend its annual Honors event after facing criticism from honorees.
His latest move signals an effort to bring the institution under his direct control, potentially shifting its leadership and cultural direction.
