WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is removing several members of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees and appointing himself as chairman.
Trump also stated that he would influence the cultural institution’s programming, specifically ending events featuring drag performers.
This move is part of his aggressive start to his second term, during which he has been working to shut down federal agencies, cut government spending, and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump said, “At my direction, we are making the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., GREAT AGAIN. I have decided to immediately remove several board members, including the chairman, who do not support our vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”
He added, “We will soon announce a new board with an incredible chairman – DONALD J. TRUMP!”
The Kennedy Center responded in a statement on its website, saying they had not received official notice from the White House regarding the board changes. “We are aware that some board members have received termination notices from the administration,” the statement read.
The statement also mentioned that while a new administration can replace board members, this is the first time such action has been taken. The Kennedy Center, established by Congress in 1958, follows its own governance rules, including electing its chairperson internally.
Unlike past presidents, Trump did not attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors during his first term. The performing arts venue, located in Washington, D.C.’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood, has hosted the event since it opened in 1971.
Following Trump’s announcement, the Kennedy Center’s website experienced high traffic, causing delays and directing visitors to a waiting page due to the surge in online activity.
Trump also criticized the center for featuring drag performances, claiming they targeted children. He vowed to stop such events, referring to past performances like “A Drag Salute to Divas” in July and a “Drag Brunch” in November.
It remains unclear which board members Trump has removed, aside from chairman David Rubenstein, a businessman and philanthropist who has held the position since 2010. The Kennedy Center’s board includes political figures from both parties, such as Biden’s former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and producer Shonda Rhimes, as well as Trump supporters like Pam Bondi and Lee Greenwood.
During his first term in 2019, Trump appointed actor Jon Voight and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to the board. Now, Huckabee serves as the U.S. ambassador to Israel.
