President Donald Trump has announced his decision to dismiss members of the Kennedy Centre’s Board of Trustees and appoint himself as chairman. In this move, he aims to assert control over the cultural institution’s programming and has explicitly stated that events featuring drag performers will be terminated. This announcement aligns with Trump’s broader agenda during the initial weeks of his second term, which includes cutting government spending and dismantling diversity initiatives.
In a social media post, Trump declared, “At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” indicating a shift towards a vision he deems favourable for the arts and culture. He plans to reveal a new board soon that will reflect his perspectives.
Recently, the Kennedy Centre’s website experienced high traffic, likely due to Trump’s announcement, indicating considerable public interest. While Trump did not specify which trustees would be removed, current chairman David Rubenstein’s position appears to be at risk. Reese and board members hold significant political ties from both parties, including influential figures associated with the Biden administration, signifying potential controversy in the changes Trump proposes.
In addition, Trump highlighted the centre’s previous programming aimed at younger audiences and vowed to stop events he perceives as inappropriate, solidifying his stance on cultural matters within the institution.